‘I Was Spiraling At That Time.’ The Rock Gets Real About How The Smashing Machine Helped Him Process His Past Struggles

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Dwayne Johnson is receiving numerous accolades for his acting in the film “The Smashing Machine.” This performance marks a significant departure from his previous roles, as he delivers a deep and intense portrayal of former UFC fighter Mark Kerr. Despite being one of the most demanding parts of his career, Johnson claims it was also a role he could fully relate to.

Mark Kerr and Dwayne Johnson both held titles in their respective fields (UFC and WWE), yet it was the shared concept of striving for success amidst setbacks that genuinely tied them together, as Johnson explained to Entertainment Weekly. The Rock put it this way…

I’ve been eagerly anticipating this moment to push myself beyond my usual limits as an actor. It’s like tearing apart a part of me that I hadn’t exposed before. The character of Mark resonated with me because it portrayed a strong desire for something, a willingness to go to any lengths to obtain it, but unfortunately, the desired outcome never materialized. This is a personal experience I’ve had – I believed I was destined to become a professional football player in the NFL, but it didn’t come to pass.

During his time at the University of Miami, Dwayne Johnson played football, but his goal of playing in the NFL didn’t come true. Instead, he spent some years playing in the Canadian Football League. However, a shoulder injury he sustained during his first year of college hindered this ambition.

Johnson carried a heavy burden of high hopes and aspirations, as an NFL career represented the turning point for him and his loved ones. Regrettably, the anticipated success did not materialize, leading to some challenging emotional periods in his life. He persisted, however…

Buying my parents their first home was something I had been saving up for, as we had always lived in trailers or apartments. However, circumstances didn’t allow me to make that happen. When it comes to such opportunities, they often come once and I missed mine. Consequently, I found myself moving back in with my parents at around 22 or 23, a period in my life marked by a downward spiral.

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Experiencing a shattered dream of buying your parents a house, then needing to return to live with them when that dream falls through, is undeniably a tough blow. It seems Johnson faced some genuine hardships after this event. However, he persevered and achieved success nonetheless, using those emotional experiences to play the character Kerr. Moreover, his co-star and friend Emily Blunt, who portrays Kerr’s girlfriend, provided valuable support in helping him process these feelings. Johnson himself mentioned…

After finding a suitable outlet, I realized I’m not particularly fond of traditional therapy. However, it’s crucial to have someone trusted in such situations, and for me, that person is Emily. Together, we immersed ourselves, and this encounter significantly altered my life’s trajectory.

Expressing one’s emotions, regardless of the method used, is undoubtedly beneficial. It appears that after creating “The Smashing Machine,” Johnson has reached a more positive personal state. Although he had previously achieved immense success and was labeled as the world’s most popular actor, it seems his past emotions hadn’t been completely resolved yet.

Dwayne Johnson bravely stepped out of his comfort zone with “The Smashing Machine,” not only by embracing an uncommon dramatic character, but also by daring to delve into his personal vulnerabilities.

On October 3, 2025, you will have the opportunity to watch “The Smashing Machine” during its premiere on the movie schedule.

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2025-09-14 00:08