Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has long been a larger-than-life figure, a global icon known for his chiseled physique, megawatt charisma, and action-packed blockbusters. But the latest glimpse of him in A24’s The Smashing Machine, which premiered to a thunderous 15-minute standing ovation at the 82nd Venice Film Festival on September 1, 2025, has fans and critics alike doing a double take. Johnson, unrecognizable as MMA pioneer Mark Kerr, steps into a raw, emotional role that’s already generating serious Oscar buzz for Best Actor—his first potential nomination. Yet, amidst the awards chatter and critical acclaim, it’s a surprising detail that’s stealing the spotlight on social media: The Rock with hair. Fans are losing it, flooding X with memes and jokes about seeing their bald-headed hero sporting a full head of locks for the first time in decades. From the red carpet to the ring, The Smashing Machine is proving to be a game-changer for Johnson, blending gritty drama, career-defining depth, and a hairy twist that’s got everyone talking.

The Venice Film Festival premiere was nothing short of electric. As the credits rolled in the Sala Grande, the audience erupted, chanting and cheering for over 15 minutes—one of the longest ovations of the festival. Johnson, 53, was visibly moved, wiping away tears alongside director Benny Safdie and co-star Emily Blunt. The real-life Mark Kerr, who inspired the film, stood beside them, adding to the emotional weight of the moment. Social media captured it all, with clips showing Johnson hugging Kerr and Safdie, the trio overwhelmed by the response. “This was the most emotion we’ve seen on the Lido since Brendan Fraser’s The Whale,” one X post declared, referencing Fraser’s 2022 Oscar campaign launch. For Johnson, a former WWE superstar turned Hollywood titan, this moment marked a seismic shift—a pivot from popcorn flicks like Jumanji and Fast & Furious to a raw, introspective drama that could redefine his legacy.

The Smashing Machine, set for release on October 3, 2025, dives into the brutal world of 1990s mixed martial arts, chronicling Kerr’s rise as a two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion and his private battles with opioid addiction and personal demons. Directed by Benny Safdie, half of the Safdie Brothers duo behind Uncut Gems, the film is a gritty departure from Johnson’s usual fare. He plays Kerr with a quiet intensity, his massive frame—augmented by prosthetics from two-time Oscar-winning makeup artist Kazu Hiro—both imposing and vulnerable. The trailer, released in June 2025, shows Johnson taking bone-crunching hits in the ring, his face bloodied but resolute, while scenes with Emily Blunt as Kerr’s girlfriend Dawn Staples reveal a tender, troubled love story. Critics are raving, with one calling Johnson’s performance “a revelation,” praising his ability to “disappear” into the role. The film’s 88% Rotten Tomatoes score, based on early reviews, underscores its impact, with many predicting nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor, and Makeup and Hairstyling.

But let’s talk about the hair. For fans accustomed to Johnson’s signature bald look—part of his WWE persona since the late ’90s—the sight of him with a full, dark mane is downright jarring. The prosthetics, crafted to transform Johnson into a younger Kerr, include a head of hair that’s sparked a wave of hilarious reactions. “The Rock with HAIR?! I need to speak to the manager of my eyes!” one fan tweeted, alongside a meme of a shocked Pikachu. Another posted, “Dwayne Johnson got a wig and an Oscar campaign in the same movie—2025 is WILD.” The hair, combined with heavy prosthetics to bulk up his already massive frame, makes Johnson nearly unrecognizable, a testament to his commitment to the role. A viral X video juxtaposes his Moana character Maui with Kerr, captioned, “From demigod to MMA champ, but the hair is the real MVP.” Fans can’t stop joking, with one quipping, “The Rock’s hair deserves its own Oscar for Best Supporting Follicle.”

The humor hasn’t overshadowed the serious buzz around Johnson’s performance. At a Venice press conference, he opened up about the role’s personal resonance. “I’ve been fortunate to have the career I’ve had, but there was a voice inside me saying, ‘What if I could do more?’” he shared. “This transformation was something I was really hungry to do.” Johnson, who began his career as WWE’s The Rock, drew on his wrestling roots to embody Kerr’s physicality, spending months training in MMA techniques to nail the fight scenes. Safdie, making his solo directorial debut, praised Johnson’s discipline, noting, “He disappeared into Mark so fully, it’s like the real thing.” The film’s authenticity is heightened by cameos from MMA stars like Ryan Bader and Oleksandr Usyk, and Kerr himself, who called Johnson’s portrayal “mind-blowing” on Instagram.

The Oscar talk is no exaggeration. Venice has a history of launching Best Actor campaigns—think Brendan Fraser in The Whale or Adrien Brody in The Brutalist. Johnson’s performance, described as “immense pathos” and “revelatory,” is a strong contender in a crowded field that includes Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), George Clooney (Jay Kelly), and Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme). A24, the indie powerhouse behind Moonlight and Everything Everywhere All at Once, is mounting a savvy campaign, leveraging the film’s Venice success and its upcoming Toronto International Film Festival screening on September 8. The studio’s decision to shoot in IMAX, a first for A24, adds a visceral edge, with fight scenes that feel like you’re in the cage. If Johnson lands a nomination, it’ll be a historic moment for an actor once pigeonholed as an action star, proving he can hold his own in prestige cinema.

Fans are also buzzing about the film’s emotional depth. The Smashing Machine isn’t just about fists and fury—it’s a meditation on pain, addiction, and redemption. Johnson’s Kerr is a man wrestling with more than opponents; his opioid dependency and strained relationship with Dawn (Blunt, who’s also earning early Oscar chatter) form the film’s heart. Blunt, reuniting with Johnson after Jungle Cruise, called his transformation “spooky,” adding, “He completely disappeared into Mark.” Their chemistry, raw and tempestuous, has fans raving, with one X post calling it “a love story that hits harder than a knockout punch.” The real Kerr, now 56, attended the premiere, his presence a poignant reminder of the story’s weight. “I’m in disbelief this is real,” he wrote on Instagram, praising Johnson’s dedication.

Social media is a whirlwind of reactions, from awe to amusement. The hair memes are relentless—one fan edited Johnson’s Kerr into a L’Oréal ad, captioned, “Because he’s worth it.” But beyond the jokes, there’s genuine excitement for his reinvention. “Dwayne’s always been a star, but this is next-level,” one X user wrote. “Oscar or not, he’s proving he’s more than muscles.” Another posted, “The Rock crying at Venice, rocking hair, and maybe winning an Oscar? This is MY multiverse of madness.” The film’s broader impact is also resonating, with fans noting its nod to MMA’s gritty early days, before it became a billion-dollar industry. A24’s $40 million budget, modest compared to Johnson’s usual $200 million blockbusters, underscores the film’s indie spirit, yet its star power could make it a box-office hit, potentially topping A24’s record-breaking Civil War opening.

As The Smashing Machine gears up for its October release, the conversation shows no signs of slowing. Will Johnson’s transformation earn him Academy gold? Can he shake off the action-hero label for good? And will fans ever get over that hair? One thing’s certain: this isn’t just another role for Dwayne Johnson—it’s a career-defining leap that’s got the world watching. From the Venice ovation to the X meme fest, The Smashing Machine is a knockout, and The Rock is proving he can smell what the Oscars are cooking.