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Dwayne Johnson’s ‘The Smashing Machine’ Debuts in Venice With Career-Redefining Turn as Mark Kerr

The A24 biopic draws praise for reframing Mark Kerr’s battles through an intimate love story.

Overview

  • Premiering in competition at the Venice Film Festival, the film is directed by Bennie Safdie and stars Johnson as 1990s wrestling great Mark Kerr.
  • Johnson described the role as a deliberate break from his action-star image, with early chatter pointing to potential Coppa Volpi and Oscar consideration.
  • Mark Kerr attended the Venice press event, where Johnson spoke about the athlete’s struggles and the personal resonance of the story.
  • Emily Blunt plays Dawn, a central figure in a narrative that emphasizes love, sacrifice, and recovery over sports spectacle.
  • A24 produced the film, reported at a $40 million budget, with an Italian theatrical release set for November 19.