Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt attended a special screening of their new film The Smashing Machine in London on Tuesday evening. The drama, which has already generated Oscar buzz for Johnson, tells the story of Mark Kerr, a world champion wrestler and early MMA star whose career was overshadowed by painkiller addiction.
Johnson plays Kerr in what critics have called the most transformative role of his career, while Blunt stars as his partner Dawn Staples. The film is directed by Benny Safdie, known for Uncut Gems, and features a supporting cast including Lyndsey Gavin, Oleksandr Usyk, Ryan Bader, Justin Gordon, and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje.
For the screening, Blunt wore a brown David Koma dress with Ananya 'Desert Diamonds' jewellery, while Johnson opted for a stylish blue suit. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month, receiving a 15-minute standing ovation and earning Safdie the Silver Lion for best director.
Variety described Johnson's performance as 'a revelation,' while The Hollywood Reporter called the drama 'gritty and downbeat,' anchored by his powerful turn. Johnson reportedly shed 60 pounds, trained with MMA experts, and spent hours in prosthetics to resemble Kerr, describing the role as his most vulnerable and challenging to date.
With awards season approaching, industry insiders believe The Smashing Machine could secure Johnson his first Academy Award nomination. The film is set for UK release on October 3.
