THE SMASHING MACHINE's Rotten Tomatoes Revealed As The Rock Breaks Down After 15-Minute Standing Ovation

THE SMASHING MACHINE's Rotten Tomatoes Revealed As The Rock Breaks Down After 15-Minute Standing Ovation

The first screening of A24's The Smashing Machine took place at the Venice Film Festival last night, and we now have a Rotten Tomatoes score (The Rock, meanwhile, was moved to tears by the reaction).

By JoshWilding - Sep 02, 2025 09:09 AM EST
Filed Under: Action
Source: TheRingReport.com

The Smashing Machine premiered at the Venice Film Festival yesterday evening, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was left in tears after receiving a 15-minute standing ovation for his performance as UFC fighter Mark Kerr. 

The professional wrestler and actor has received widespread acclaim for his work in the biopic, with early reviews indicating that he could earn major award recognition next year. Others have argued that the movie is Oscar-bait, but with an 89% score on Rotten Tomatoes, it seems Johnson's attempt to make the leap from action star to serious actor has worked.

This comes as Johnson's career has reached a turning point. No longer the guaranteed box office draw who saved the Fast & Furious franchise, The Rock's plan to take charge of the DC Extended Universe failed when Black Adam bombed, and his return to WWE drew mixed reviews from fans. 

While he's still expected to return for the final Fast & Furious movie, Johnson is also planning to co-star with Leonardo DiCaprio and Emily Blunt in an upcoming, as-yet-untitled Martin Scorsese crime film set in Hawaii. That looks set to be another "serious" acting gig. 

What this means for The Rock's WWE future isn't clear, but we'll be sure to keep you updated on that over at TheRingReport.com.

"Benny wants to create, and continues to push the envelope when it comes to stories that are raw and real, characters that are authentic and at times uncomfortable and arresting," Johnson previously said of The Smashing Machine"I’m at a point in my career where I want to push myself in ways that I’ve not pushed myself in the past."

"I’m at a point in my career where I want to make films that matter, that explore humanity and explore struggle [and] pain."

"I want to be clear not to say that this is an abandonment of big, four-quadrant movies," he said of a largely successful run as the lead in countless blockbusters, which has somewhat petered out in recent years. "I love making them, and there is tremendous value and importance in [them], but there’s a time and a place for them. I’m at this point in my career where I want more."

"And I don’t mean I want more box office. I mean, I want more humanity. And that is why Benny Safdie is the perfect, collaborative, hungry partner for me," the wrestler concluded. 

From filmmaker Benny Safdie and starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, The Smashing Machine is the story of legendary mixed martial arts and UFC fighter Mark Kerr. 

The movie will be released in theaters on October 3. 

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Batmandalorian
Batmandalorian - 9/2/2025, 9:20 AM
Still like the guy even though hes been getting a lot of hate.
epc1122
epc1122 - 9/2/2025, 9:22 AM
@Batmandalorian - I think part of the hate is overexposure and jealousy. We don’t even know these celebrities and act like we do. I dunno, I think he seems like a decent guy 🤷‍♂️
ClungeOfSteel
ClungeOfSteel - 9/2/2025, 9:48 AM
@epc1122 - id have to agree. He does a lot for his fans that wait for him after his set shoots (always takes the time to greet them etc) I think his over exposure and the rumors of his ego is what gets him hate.
epc1122
epc1122 - 9/2/2025, 10:03 AM
@ClungeOfSteel - I’m curious how true his ego on the set is. Some of it can be overblown but in general, like you mentioned, he greets fans and I believe he does a ton of charity.
ClungeOfSteel
ClungeOfSteel - 9/2/2025, 10:45 AM
@epc1122 - i am too!

Every instance where it's been reported that his ego has gotten in the way has been justified (IMO).

The clash with Vin diesel: universal approached him for the hobs and shaw spin off, Vin didn't like it.

The stuff with DC: WB have been a complete cluster[frick] when it comes to DC and he managed to get Cavills superman back in play by going over certain execs heads.

So yeah like you I'm curious too 😅
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 9/2/2025, 11:31 AM
@Batmandalorian - 100% agree. He's a good dude
Ryguy88
Ryguy88 - 9/2/2025, 9:20 AM
Any Safdie Brothers movie is worth checking out.
SteviesRightFoo
SteviesRightFoo - 9/2/2025, 9:23 AM
Imagine having to endure one of these ridiculously long circlejerk applauses at a film festival. A case of hollywood creeps sniffing each others farts gone into overdrive
Redking77
Redking77 - 9/2/2025, 12:10 PM
@SteviesRightFoo - Or having spent months preparing for a role, then filming, then post production, and then finally opening night having your peers congratulate you (and everyone involved) on a job well done and a fantastic film. It’s nice to have recognition too.
THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 9/2/2025, 9:24 AM
We smell what you're [frick]ing cooking, Dwayne.

We’ve all watched The Rock’s journey from wrestling icon to blockbuster star and now into serious, transformative roles like this.

Say what you want, but the man has put in the work for decades, and The Smashing Machine feels like the payoff.

He’s earned every bit of that standing ovation. Respect.

For [frick]s sake
UnderBelly
UnderBelly - 9/2/2025, 9:30 AM
He got so famous from typecast roles the hate became inevitable. I as an old school WWF fan am happy to see this new movie and also glad he's no longer involved with the DC stuff.

I need to go and watch Pand and Gain again too. That's probably the only Bay movie I've enjoyed in the last 20 years.
MisterBones
MisterBones - 9/2/2025, 9:32 AM
15 minutes? What the [frick] kind of drugs do these audiences be on?! Gotta be performative
bobevanz
bobevanz - 9/2/2025, 9:36 AM
@MisterBones - no shit
MisterBones
MisterBones - 9/2/2025, 9:47 AM
@bobevanz - but how do they know when to….stop? 🤔
Kadara
Kadara - 9/2/2025, 10:11 AM
@MisterBones - 💯
slickrickdesigns
slickrickdesigns - 9/2/2025, 10:15 AM
@MisterBones - agreed… 5 min, ok… 10 minutes maybe… but 15 minutes? Sounds like someone forgot to turn off the applaud sign.
ImNotaBot
ImNotaBot - 9/2/2025, 11:28 AM
@MisterBones - Yeah they do this shit for every single movie at those cult film festivals. Even Joker 2 got a 11min standing ovation, its braindead.
bobevanz
bobevanz - 9/2/2025, 9:38 AM
Ever since Joker 2 got a 15 minute ovation, it doesn't matter how long. I think it's simply to reward the actors of their performance, not the movie itself. I'm hyped for this movie. I'm tired of jungle badass Rock, give me serious Dwayne
PapaBear562
PapaBear562 - 9/2/2025, 9:41 AM
He's been making a lot of movies with Emily Blunt. What's up with that?
MouthyMerc
MouthyMerc - 9/2/2025, 9:44 AM
I hope he wins an Oscar. Can’t wait to see this movie.
ClungeOfSteel
ClungeOfSteel - 9/2/2025, 9:50 AM
The rock and Usyk!

I will watch for these 2
WalletsClosed
WalletsClosed - 9/2/2025, 9:51 AM
Joker 2 got a huge ovation as well

Reboot the MCU and DCU
Baf
Baf - 9/2/2025, 9:51 AM
I saw this preview this weekend when I went to see Weapons and no one knew it was The Rock. As soon as it was announced, the theater gasped in unison. Looks good. Dramatic, but good.
JacobsLadder
JacobsLadder - 9/2/2025, 9:52 AM
I won't pay to see this but I am interested. The U.
Kadara
Kadara - 9/2/2025, 10:09 AM
Who the hell applauds a movie for 15 minutes, God these people are so phony and full of themselves.
Steel86
Steel86 - 9/2/2025, 10:09 AM
Unless another really strong performance comes out of no were if the positive reviews keep coming I can see Rock winning an Oscar. He knows how to charm all the right people to give him that extra edge.
Iports
Iports - 9/2/2025, 10:13 AM
15 minutes lol

They stood clapping for 15 mins … what a load of bullshit

After 2 mins I would be looking around thinking [frick]ing hell my hands are hurting is this still
Going

JobinJ
JobinJ - 9/2/2025, 10:55 AM
@Iports - I always think that when people say there was a 10 minute or 15 minute standing ovation it’s total [frick]ing bullshit. Nobody stands there and claps for 10 or 15 minutes. Just straight up lying.
mountainman
mountainman - 9/2/2025, 11:45 AM
@JobinJ - A one minute standing ovation feels like 15 minutes. It’s guaranteed the times of these are overstated for effect.

I am absolutely looking forward to this movie though.
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 9/2/2025, 10:14 AM
User Comment Image
slickrickdesigns
slickrickdesigns - 9/2/2025, 10:17 AM
15 minutes? Sounds like the crowd really liked him. 🤣
DarthOmega
DarthOmega - 9/2/2025, 10:46 AM
Damn I saw what I thought was a recent photo of him appearing much slimmer.
WEAPONXOXOXO
WEAPONXOXOXO - 9/2/2025, 10:53 AM
I live The Rock. This looks good. Looking forward to it.
WEAPONXOXOXO
WEAPONXOXOXO - 9/2/2025, 10:58 AM
@WEAPONXOXOXO - like The Rock


I live under a rock
JobinJ
JobinJ - 9/2/2025, 10:56 AM
Nothing to do with the rock or this movie, but people don’t stand in clap for 15 [frick]ing minutes. Every time I see an article with this headline, I think it it’s a [frick]ing bullshit lie. There’s no way people are standing there clapping and cheering for 5 min let alone 15 minutes.
mountainman
mountainman - 9/2/2025, 11:46 AM
@JobinJ - Other than at a live sporting event where you may sometimes have ongoing applause to try to motivate your team, I can’t say that I’ve ever clapped for anything for more than like 15 seconds.
DocSpock
DocSpock - 9/2/2025, 11:24 AM

Time for this scowling one note meathead to just fade away.

MarvelousMarty
MarvelousMarty - 9/2/2025, 11:27 AM
Movie looks great but that clapping clip just makes me hate Hollywood even more.
SATW42
SATW42 - 9/2/2025, 12:28 PM
Let him be successful in Hollywood again so he stays FAR away from WWE.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 9/2/2025, 12:32 PM
@SATW42 - I really liked him as the Final Boss but his lack of involvement after Cena’s Heel turn and the inclusion of Travis Scott has soured me a bit to an extent.
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