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Dwayne Johnson Reflects on Oscar Miss and Venice Triumph After The Smashing Machine
When Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson stepped off the stage in Venice, a silver sheen from the city’s famed lagoon still clinging to his hair, the applause had already begun. A 16‑minute standing ovation erupted before the credits even rolled, and the actor’s eyes filled with tears. Yet the same night, the film that had earned him that ovation—The Smashing Machine—would not find a place on the Oscar ballot.
The biopic, which follows the rise of former amateur wrestler and mixed‑martial‑artist Mark Kerr, premiered on September 1, 2025 at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. The festival, the world’s oldest film showcase, ran from August 27 to September 6, 2025. The Smashing Machine was honored with the festival’s Silver Lion for best direction, awarded to director Benny Safdie. In the United States, A24 released the film on October 3, where critics praised Johnson’s transformation into Kerr, but the movie underperformed at the box office.
In a candid interview with Esquire published Thursday, Johnson reflected on the contrast between Venice’s reverence and the Academy’s silence. "It would have been incredible to get nominated for an Oscar," he said. "I realized very quickly that it’s a rare thing to reach this pinnacle where you’re even having these conversations. And it’s exciting! It would have been amazing." He added, "I wish it happened. But it didn’t. But in no uncertain terms did I ever think, ‘Oh, that doesn’t matter.’ I always thought it mattered. And it has lit a fire in my spine, which is: ‘Let’s go back to work.’"
Kerr, a two‑time UFC heavyweight tournament champion and former PRIDE FC competitor, earned the nickname The Smashing Machine for his ferocious fighting style. Johnson prepared for the role by donning prosthetics that replicated Kerr’s physical changes, a detail that critics noted as a key factor in the film’s authenticity. During the Venice premiere, Johnson was captured on camera crying after the audience’s 16‑minute ovation, later describing the moment as "blowing me away". "I had never been to Venice before," he told Esquire. "I’m wondering, ‘Are they gonna clap for us? I don’t know.’ And before the credits even rolled that group stood up and that entire audience stood up for almost 17 minutes, and I’m so moved that I’m crying like a—what’s that word?—oh, ‘b—h.’"
The film’s success at Venice and the critical acclaim for Johnson’s performance have already attracted attention from high‑profile filmmakers. Director Darren Aronofsky called the actor’s work in The Smashing Machine "fearless," while Martin Scorsese described him as "one of a kind." Johnson is now attached to star in new projects from Safdie, Aronofsky and Scorsese, signaling a shift toward more dramatic roles. Beyond the biopic, he remains busy with other major releases, slated to appear in Jumanji: Open World and Disney’s live‑action remake of Moana.
While The Smashing Machine did not receive an Oscar nomination, its Venice triumph and the praise from industry peers underscore its artistic impact. Johnson’s comments suggest that the experience has reinforced his commitment to future projects, even as he contemplates the gap between festival acclaim and award season recognition.
As the awards season continues, industry observers will watch whether Johnson’s dramatic turn will influence future nominations and whether his upcoming films will achieve both critical and commercial success. The actor’s next steps—whether they will secure a new Oscar bid or further broaden his dramatic repertoire—remain a focal point for fans and insiders alike.
The biopic, which follows the rise of former amateur wrestler and mixed‑martial‑artist Mark Kerr, premiered on September 1, 2025 at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. The festival, the world’s oldest film showcase, ran from August 27 to September 6, 2025. The Smashing Machine was honored with the festival’s Silver Lion for best direction, awarded to director Benny Safdie. In the United States, A24 released the film on October 3, where critics praised Johnson’s transformation into Kerr, but the movie underperformed at the box office.
In a candid interview with Esquire published Thursday, Johnson reflected on the contrast between Venice’s reverence and the Academy’s silence. "It would have been incredible to get nominated for an Oscar," he said. "I realized very quickly that it’s a rare thing to reach this pinnacle where you’re even having these conversations. And it’s exciting! It would have been amazing." He added, "I wish it happened. But it didn’t. But in no uncertain terms did I ever think, ‘Oh, that doesn’t matter.’ I always thought it mattered. And it has lit a fire in my spine, which is: ‘Let’s go back to work.’"
Kerr, a two‑time UFC heavyweight tournament champion and former PRIDE FC competitor, earned the nickname The Smashing Machine for his ferocious fighting style. Johnson prepared for the role by donning prosthetics that replicated Kerr’s physical changes, a detail that critics noted as a key factor in the film’s authenticity. During the Venice premiere, Johnson was captured on camera crying after the audience’s 16‑minute ovation, later describing the moment as "blowing me away". "I had never been to Venice before," he told Esquire. "I’m wondering, ‘Are they gonna clap for us? I don’t know.’ And before the credits even rolled that group stood up and that entire audience stood up for almost 17 minutes, and I’m so moved that I’m crying like a—what’s that word?—oh, ‘b—h.’"
The film’s success at Venice and the critical acclaim for Johnson’s performance have already attracted attention from high‑profile filmmakers. Director Darren Aronofsky called the actor’s work in The Smashing Machine "fearless," while Martin Scorsese described him as "one of a kind." Johnson is now attached to star in new projects from Safdie, Aronofsky and Scorsese, signaling a shift toward more dramatic roles. Beyond the biopic, he remains busy with other major releases, slated to appear in Jumanji: Open World and Disney’s live‑action remake of Moana.
While The Smashing Machine did not receive an Oscar nomination, its Venice triumph and the praise from industry peers underscore its artistic impact. Johnson’s comments suggest that the experience has reinforced his commitment to future projects, even as he contemplates the gap between festival acclaim and award season recognition.
As the awards season continues, industry observers will watch whether Johnson’s dramatic turn will influence future nominations and whether his upcoming films will achieve both critical and commercial success. The actor’s next steps—whether they will secure a new Oscar bid or further broaden his dramatic repertoire—remain a focal point for fans and insiders alike.
