Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is stepping into darker, more complex territory with Breakthrough, a new psychological thriller in development at A24.
Following his return to WWE as the villainous “Final Boss,” and with high-profile roles in Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine and a Martin Scorsese-directed Hawaiian crime drama on the horizon, Johnson is proving he’s more than just an action star — he’s diving headfirst into his serious acting era.
A Gritty, Mind-Bending New Role
According to Deadline, Breakthrough is an original psychological thriller written by Zeke Goodman, known for his work on Prime Video’s I Know What You Did Last Summer and the upcoming Cruel Intentions reboot. Set in early 2000s Southern California, the film follows the disturbing relationship between an alienated young man and a charismatic motivational guru whose methods — and morality — quickly take a dark turn.
Johnson is set to play the mysterious guru, described as manipulative and morally ambiguous — a role that could mark one of his most challenging and transformative performances yet.
While the rest of the cast is still being assembled and a director has yet to be attached, excitement is already building around the project. This will be Johnson’s second collaboration with A24, following his portrayal of MMA fighter Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine, which is expected to hit theaters later this year.
From Blockbusters to Prestige Projects
Johnson has spent the last two decades dominating Hollywood with box office hits like Jumanji, Moana, and the Fast & Furious franchise. Now, it appears he’s turning a new page, pursuing stories with emotional weight, artistic edge, and awards potential.
This shift in tone echoes his recent WWE comeback, where Johnson surprised fans by embracing a darker, more complex persona — one that blurred the lines between entertainment and real life. If his chilling monologues in the ring are anything to go by, Breakthrough could be the perfect vehicle to bring that raw intensity to the big screen.
What’s Next for The Rock?
In addition to Breakthrough, Johnson’s schedule includes:
- The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie, portraying real-life MMA legend Mark Kerr.
- A Martin Scorsese crime thriller set in Hawaii.
- Ongoing WWE appearances as the Final Boss persona.
If Breakthrough lives up to expectations, this could mark a major turning point in Johnson’s career — and possibly even place him on a long-awaited Oscar trajectory.
