Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson once again proved that he is the best of both worlds, sports and acting. The WWE fame will soon be seen embracing another sport, but for an upcoming on-screen role. Dwayne is currently making headlines for his work in the sports biopic movie, titled The Smashing Machine. He had been honoured with a record-breaking standing ovation at the Venice premiere of the film, leaving him emotional.
Dwayne Johnson shed tears after receiving a standing ovation at the Venice event
On September 1, 2025, Dwayne Johnson attended the 2025 Venice Film Festival, where his upcoming movie, The Smashing Machine, premiered. The attendees of the event lavished praise on the actor for his portrayal of the lead role, former UFC legend, Mark Kerr. Dwayne also received a 15-minute-long standing ovation for the same, and was visibly moved to tears by the overwhelming reception from the audience.
His co-star, Emily Blunt, director, Benny Safdie, and the real Mark Kerr were also present at the event. They also became a little emotional during the extended applause for the film.
What record did Dwayne Johnson break with the standing ovation?
Dwayne’s emotional 15-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival was particularly iconic, due to its duration. It was the longest applause so far for any film at this year’s event. It broke the record of the 13 minutes of applause given to Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein two days before. Dwayne is the joint holder of the longest-standing ovation record of this year, along with Amanda Seyfried, who received it for The Testament of Ann Lee on September 1, 2025.
Dwayne Johnson sparks Oscar buzz following The Smashing Machine‘s world premiere
Following The Smashing Machine‘s world premiere, receiving a remarkable audience response at the Venice Film Festival, discussions about Dwayne’s potential Oscar nomination have been sparked. The film, set to release on October 3, 2025, represents a departure from the actor’s typical blockbuster action and comedy roles. Through the role of ‘Mark Kerr’, Dwayne sought out a transformative experience, channelling his desire to dive deeper and challenge himself as an actor.
Fans are eagerly waiting to see the actor in a new avatar and are hopeful that he will secure his first-ever Oscar through the role. Some critics have compared the reception of The Smashing Machine to that of Brendan Fraser’s film, The Whale at Venice, which ultimately led to an Academy Award win for the actor.
More about Dwayne Johnson’s role as ‘Mark Kerr’ in The Smashing Machine
In The Smashing Machine, Dwayne Johnson stepped away from his usual action hero roles to portray the complex life and struggles of ‘Mark Kerr’. It includes his professional life as well as his battles with addiction. The Jumanji: The Next Level fame underwent a significant physical transformation for the role, including weight loss, further showcasing his commitment to the dramatic portrayal.
The actor himself noted the transformative nature of the project and expressed a desire to pursue more raw and intense roles. Talking about the reason behind saying yes to the project, Dwayne said before the premiere:
“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.”
What are your thoughts on Dwayne Johnson receiving a record-breaking standing ovation at The Smashing Machine‘s world premiere event? Let us know.
Also Read: Dwayne Johnson’s Weight Loss Journey, How Did The Rock Lose 60 Pounds For ‘The Smashing Machine’?