Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s new film, The Smashing Machine, received a 15-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival, moving Johnson, director Benny Safdie, and fighter Mark Kerr to tears. The film, which follows the life of MMA legend Kerr, marks a powerful shift in Johnson’s career. Reflecting on the reception, the actor shared that he is now more focused on creating “films that matter,” signaling a deeper commitment to meaningful storytelling.