The Smashing Machine star Dwayne Johnson addresses his potential awards-worthy role as first reactions to the A24 film emerge. Directed by Benny Safdie, the upcoming sports drama features Johnson playing Mark Kerr, a real-life MMA and UFC champion.

The Smashing Machine‘s release date is set for October 3, but the film, which also stars Emily Blunt, premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 1. Following the film’s premiere, social media is buzzing about the film and Johnson’s leading performance.

Speaking at a press event before the premiere, Johnson shares his thoughts on playing Kerr in The Smashing Machine, revealing that he was eager to branch beyond his typical blockbuster roles to undertake a true “transformation.” Check out his comment, per AP News, below:

“I have for a long time wanted this. The transformation part was something I was really hungry to do. I’ve been very fortunate to have the career that I’ve had and make the films that I have, but there was just this voice inside of me, this little voice, like what if I can do more.”

ScreenRant‘s own Jack Walters attended The Smashing Machine‘s premiere, sharing the following reaction to the A24 awards hopeful:

“The Smashing Machine may not be as ambitious or groundbreaking as Benny Safdie’s previous works, but it does an effective job of giving a voice to UFC pioneer Mark Kerr, with all his flaws and strengths alike. The film takes a fairly pedestrian approach to storytelling, lacking the bite and grit that many would expect from the Uncut Gems director.”

What This Means For Dwayne Johnson & The Smashing Machine

Johnson is widely known for starring in certain kinds of movies. They’re typically family-friendly and action-oriented, and they often take advantage of his physicality by positioning him as an action hero. Over the past 10 years or so, this has kicked into overdrive, with Johnson almost exclusively participating in major franchises or big-budget blockbusters.

Though many of Johnson’s movies have been box office hits, relatively few have fared well with critics, and Johnson has become seen as a popcorn movie star rather than a “serious” actor. Johnson playing Kerr in The Smashing Machine represents a push against this characterization, and it marks Johnson’s first truly challenging dramatic role in quite some time.

The early buzz suggests it could put Johnson within reach of an Oscar nomination, which would mark a career first. Though Walters’ reaction is somewhat lukewarm, roles in which actors undergo dramatic transformations have a long history of doing well with Academy voters.

Depending how the film lands with critics and audiences after release, it’s possible that The Smashing Machine could mark the start of a new era of Johnson’s movie career, one where he doesn’t just do popcorn movies. Even if Johnson doesn’t secure a nomination or a win, an increased focus on these types of roles could make it just a matter of time.

Our Take On Johnson’s Awards Potential With The Smashing Machine

After movies like Black Adam (2022), Red One (2024), and a host of others, Johnson’s pivot with The Smashing Machine is a welcome one. Though he was and remains a charismatic movie star, the projects he has historically picked haven’t seemed particularly challenging for him, and most of them feel fairly disposable.

There’s nothing wrong with focusing on popcorn entertainment, of course, but the early buzz surrounding The Smashing Machine suggests Johnson has another, more interesting side to him as a performer. It will be interesting to see whether the A24 movie alters the trajectory of Johnson’s career in a meaningful way, but audiences could be in for more surprising choices moving forward.