Dwayne Johnson on Nolan’s Praise: “The Most Inspiring Thing Anyone Has Ever Said About Me”
Dwayne Johnson experienced a career highlight when Christopher Nolan praised his work in The Smashing Machine.
The Rock, 53, was in the audience at a Directors Guild of America screening in Los Angeles on October 5, during the film’s opening weekend. Nolan, known for rarely offering public compliments, spoke highly of Johnson’s portrayal of MMA fighter Mark Kerr.
“I think it’s an incredible performance,” Nolan said, calling the role “heartbreaking.” He added, “I don’t think you’ll see a better performance this year or most other years.” The remarks were widely covered in the media, partly because they came despite the movie opening to a modest $6 million in 3,300 theaters, a number that left many predicting it would be overlooked during awards season.
Johnson later described the moment as deeply moving. “It was the most inspiring thing anyone has ever said about me,” he said during an interview on October 31.
He explained that while friends and fellow actors, including Matt Damon, had praised his performance, Nolan’s words carried a special weight because of the timing and the setting. Damon had reminded him, “In what we do, we’re lucky enough, sometimes, to make a film that endures.”
The actor shared that hearing Nolan’s praise was almost surreal. “Once it started to sink in, I was having an out-of-body experience,” he said. Sitting next to his wife, singer Lauren Hashian, he grabbed her hand tightly for support. After the screening, Hashian encouraged him to go speak with Nolan personally.
Excited to share the official trailer for Benny Safdie’s THE SMASHING MACHINE, starring Dwayne Johnson and Academy Award nominee Emily Blunt.
— UFC (@ufc) April 29, 2025
In theaters October 3rd. pic.twitter.com/PmLIYnNWQM
“I just gave him the biggest hug and the biggest kiss on the cheek,” Johnson said. “All I could say was ‘Thank you.’ And he said, ‘I meant what I said. You were heartbreaking, and the best performance of the year.’ I gave him another hug. That was all I could muster.”
For Johnson, Nolan’s recognition was more than just praise—it was an affirmation of his work and dedication to the role. Despite the film’s modest opening, the acknowledgment from one of Hollywood’s most respected directors made the experience unforgettable.
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