It's Been a Minute Brittany pops off on Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson
Oct 14, 2025
Aisha Harris, co-host of Pop Culture Happy Hour and a savvy culture critic, joins Brittany to dive into Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's latest film, The Smashing Machine. They unpack the film's premise, featuring the gritty world of MMA and its cultural roots. The team debates The Rock's casting and his transformation claims, questioning if the film feels like a vanity project. They also explore the standout soundtrack and how it enhances the film's authenticity before comparing The Rock to fellow wrestlers-turned-actors like Dave Bautista and John Cena.
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Awards-Season Biopic Signaling
- The Smashing Machine uses classic award-season biopic moves like addiction arcs and prosthetics to signal seriousness.
- That framing raises the question of whether the film targets awards more than storytelling clarity.
Acting Return, But Missing Purpose
- Reanna Cruz enjoyed The Rock's 'capital-A' acting return but questioned the film's purpose.
- She liked the genre beats yet felt the movie lacked a clear reason to exist beyond familiar tropes.
Career Calculus Behind Role Choice
- Panelists suspect the film is tailored toward awards recognition and career positioning for Dwayne Johnson.
- The Rock's career ambitions shape how viewers read his role choices and the film's intentions.