Dwayne Johnson delivered what critics are calling his career-defining performance at the Venice Film Festival premiere of “The Smashing Machine,” earning director Benny Safdie the Silver Lion for Best Director and sparking early Oscar buzz for the former wrestler turned Hollywood superstar. Watch the brand new trailer here.
The A24 biographical drama, which chronicles the tumultuous life of mixed martial arts pioneer Mark Kerr, received a thunderous 15-minute standing ovation at its September 1 world premiere, leaving Johnson visibly emotional as the Lido audience erupted in sustained applause. The film’s enthusiastic reception has positioned it as a serious awards contender ahead of its October 3 theatrical release.