Dwayne Johnson Faces Fear in 'The Smashing Machine' — Fighting Shadows, Finding Strength
A raw performance that could finally redefine The Rock.
Watching actors step out of their comfort zone has always intrigued me, especially when it’s someone like Dwayne Johnson. For years, 'The Rock' has ruled Hollywood as the ultimate action hero.
But his new role as troubled MMA fighter Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine feels like more than another blockbuster.
Fear as a Creative Spark
Johnson confessed he was genuinely scared by this role — the first time in years he felt that kind of nervous anticipation. For a man who’s played gods and skyscraper-climbers, such honesty is refreshing.
Safdie’s film strips away the glamour, with Johnson spending hours daily in prosthetics to become Kerr. Fear, it seems, became the fuel. And that says something, doesn’t it?
Beyond the Ring
The Smashing Machine is less about fighting and more about the emotional costs of living on the edge. Johnson himself admitted he’d long avoided roles like this out of fear. Safdie, though, praises him for acting "with every fibre of his body." It’s a world away from his blockbuster swagger — and that’s what makes it fascinating.
Why It Matters
Johnson’s standout turn in Michael Bay’s Pain and Gain showed he could do vulnerability. With The Smashing Machine, he may finally go further — trading bravado for bruises, spectacle for sincerity. Venice will soon tell us if awards buzz is real. But isn’t it exciting to see him wrestle with something deeper than box office glory?
