The first reviews are in for Dwayne Johnson's "taut and upsetting" real-life drama The Smashing Machine.
The biographical sports drama stars Johnson as MMA and UFC fighter Mark Kerr, following his battle with substance abuse and relationship with ex-wife Dawn Staples (Emily Blunt).
Set for release in cinemas on 3 October, the film received its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on 1 September.
Following its premiere, The Smashing Machine received its first reviews, scoring an impressive 89% on Rotten Tomatoes from 18 reviews, with many critics praising Johnson's turn as Kerr.
The BBC described Johnson's performance as "Oscar-worthy", writing: "Don't be surprised if Johnson is Oscar-nominated. His Hollywood blockbusters have raked in billions of dollars, so this serious, nuanced role gives his peers an obvious chance to reward him for his lucrative career."
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RogerEbert.com said: "The movie is at its most taut and upsetting when showing Mark’s crisis of confidence and the road it puts him on."
The Hollywood Reporter wrote: "Played by Dwayne Johnson in the wrestler-turned-actor’s most absorbing turn yet, the mixed martial arts champ anchors a rise-and-fall fight flick that takes many cues from the genre but never delivers a Rocky-style knockout – nor does it even try to."
"Johnson, shifting his whole aspect (he seems like a new actor), invests that silent, moody, hidden side of Mark with a quality of mystery. He gives an extraordinary performance," penned Variety.
Not all critics were as taken with the film, with AwardsWatch writing: "In the titular role, Johnson tries his best to deliver a different performance than his usual action/comedy fare, but the film doesn’t offer him a real chance to showcase his dramatic chops."
The Times described The Smashing Machine as "the awards season equivalent of a 'fugazi' diamond", adding: "It looks like an Oscar contender, it sparkles like an Oscar contender, but on closer inspection it’s entirely plastic and mostly worthless."
Marking director Benny Safdie's solo directorial debut, the film also serves as a Jungle Cruise reunion between Blunt and Johnson.
The Smashing Machine is released in cinemas on 3 October.
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Harriet is a freelance news writer specialising in TV and movies at Digital Spy.
A horror enthusiast, she joined Digital Spy after working on her own horror website, reviewing films and focusing largely on feminism in the genre.
In her spare time, Harriet paints and produces mixed-media art. She graduated from the University of Kingston with a BA in fine art, where she specialised in painting. She also has an MA in journalism from Birkbeck University.
