Dwayne Johnson is stepping away from his usual charismatic image and diving into a raw, intense role. In his latest film, The Smashing Machine, the actor transforms into real-life MMA legend Mark Kerr. The trailer, which dropped on Tuesday, has shocked fans with Johnson’s new look and emotional depth.
In the teaser, viewers see Dwayne wearing a dark wig and full facial prosthetics. He also speaks with an Ohio accent instead of his famous voice. These changes help him truly become Mark Kerr on screen.
A Glimpse into the Gritty Story
The trailer begins with a bruised and swollen Johnson, sitting in a doctor’s office. “Probably looking at my eyes,” he tells a woman and her son. She responds, “How did that happen?” Then the clip jumps to intense fight scenes from Kerr’s past. He asks, “Well, have you ever heard of the Ultimate Fighting Championship? The UFC?”
As the trailer continues, it explores Kerr’s career as a champion and his personal struggles. He says, “Winning is the best feeling there is. It’s 40,000 people in there cheering you on. There’s no other high like it in the world.” The film also tackles his addiction to painkillers and the impact on his life and relationships.
Fans Praise Johnson’s Bold Transformation
The trailer has left fans speechless. Many praised the makeup team and Dwayne’s powerful performance. One fan wrote, “Now this is the Actor ROCK we want [red heart emoji] Oscars 2026.” Another said, “Whoever did the prosthetics and makeup for this movie is getting an Oscar. I hear the Rock kind of, but I don’t see him at all. Sheesh that’s (fire emoji).” Real-life announcer Ryan Ventura also shared his excitement: “One of the greatest honours of my career was being a part of this project. October 3rd couldn’t come fast enough!”
Viewers Couldn’t Believe It Was The Rock
Comments poured in from surprised fans. Some said things like:
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“This doesn’t even look like him!”
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“Wait, that’s The Rock? No way!”
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“Yeah that ain’t Dwayne Johnson.”
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“I couldn’t tell if that was the Rock or another person acting like the Rock lmao.”
Another viewer added, “The prostheses in the nose and brow are so subtle and yet he really does look like another person — and the body transformation, too.”
Film Based on True Story
The Smashing Machine is inspired by the 2002 documentary of the same name. It tells the story of Mark Kerr, a celebrated MMA fighter who faced serious personal challenges. He won several titles but also struggled with drug addiction. The movie also focuses on his relationship with his girlfriend, played by Emily Blunt.
Johnson and Blunt previously worked together on Disney’s Jungle Cruise. This new film is directed by Benny Safdie, known for Uncut Gems. It also marks his first solo directing project. The film is set to hit theatres in October.
