Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt lit up the 82nd Venice International Film Festival as they promoted their new film, The Smashing Machine. The pair attended a photocall and red carpet premiere Monday in Venice, Italy, joined by the real-life subject of the movie, former UFC fighter Mark Kerr.
The Smashing Machine: A Powerful Biopic
Johnson, 53, stars as Kerr, whose MMA career was marked by both triumph and battles with addiction. Emily Blunt, 42, plays Kerr’s then-wife Dawn Staples, bringing depth to the personal side of the story. Directed and produced by Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems), the film dives into the raw, emotional highs and lows of Kerr’s life.
At the Venice premiere of The Smashing Machine, the emotional high point came when the film received a thunderous 15-minute standing ovation. The crowd’s overwhelming response left Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson visibly moved, bringing the star to tears as he took in the moment. Known for his larger-than-life presence both on and off screen, Johnson showed a rare vulnerability, wiping his eyes as the audience continued to cheer. Sharing the moment with co-star Emily Blunt, director Benny Safdie, and Mark Kerr himself, Johnson later expressed that the ovation was one of the most meaningful experiences of his career, validating the years of preparation and dedication poured into portraying Kerr’s tumultuous life story.
Release Date
The Smashing Machine opens in theaters October 3. With Johnson’s powerful performance, Blunt’s nuanced role, and Safdie’s unflinching direction, the film is already building awards-season buzz.
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