Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is one of the most popular actors working today, and is often one of Hollywood's highest-paid actors every year, but he tends to run into the problem of playing a lot of similar characters. Thankfully, A24's film The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie, looks like a promising pivot in a new direction for The Rock. With The Smashing Machine set to be released on October 3, 2025, it certainly feels like The Rock's best chance at an Oscar nomination, an honor that would solidify him as more than an action star.

It seems like Ballers, which is truly one of the best acting performances The Rock has ever given.

Dwayne Johnson Gave One Of His Best Performances In HBO's Ballers

Ballers Allowed The Rock To Show A Wider Range Of His Talent

The Rock isn't a bad actor by any means, but the projects he often ends up choosing leave little for him to flex his talent. Thankfully, HBO's Ballers gives him a lot more to work with in of writing and characterization. He plays Spencer Strasmore in the series, a former NFL player who is forced into retirement due to injury and begins working as a financial manager for other players. Ballers mostly revolves around his character and how he navigates his life among some of the best athletes in the world.

The Rock isn't a bad actor by any means, but the projects he often ends up choosing leave little for him to flex his talent.

Ballers ran for five seasons on HBO, giving Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson a lot of time to develop his character and really become comfortable stepping outside the box he seemed content to be in when it comes to the more "assembly line" roles he is often known, and criticized, for. While Ballers might not have received the massive critical acclaim among some of HBO's best shows, it is incredibly underrated, and The Rock is perfectly cast in the series.

Ballers' Mix Of Comedy And Drama Allowed Dwayne Johnson To Shine

The Rock Is Able To Nail Both The Comedic Moments And Moments Of Vulnerability

While HBO is often known for its grounded, realistic, and often serious dramas, they have proven they can balance a lot of different tones over the years, and Ballers strikes that perfect blend of comedy and drama. The Rock is often known for playing tough, action-centric characters, but he is able to show off more of his comedic chops in Ballers, while also allowing his vulnerability to shine through in the show's quieter moments amidst the lavish lifestyle of his character and the rest of the cast.

Ballers excels at being a dramedy where every actor pulls their own on screen. The Rock is one of the show's biggest standouts, which is a testament to how good of an actor he can be if he pushes himself a bit and is given the right material to work with. It's fun seeing him fight bad guys and save the day, throwing in some smoldering stares in the process, but it is even more enjoyable to see him really embrace his talent as an actor, and Ballers gives him that opportunity.

If You're Tired Of The Rock Playing The Same Character, Check Out Ballers

Ballers Is Worth Watching For The Rock's Performance Alone

Though Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is one of the most popular actors on the planet, there is no denying that lately, there has been more pushback than ever about the lack of diversity in his filmography. He is known for essentially playing the same character, and while The Smashing Machine shows him branching out again, it was Ballers that initially premiered in 2015 that is a must-watch for those wanting to see him play someone a bit different from usual.

Michael Bay's Pain & Gain is another excellent example of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson stepping out of his comfort zone and giving one of his best performances.

Not only is Ballers one of the best performances of The Rock's entire career, it is also arguably the best performance in the entire series, an impressive feat given the amount of talent involved with the show. It's refreshing to see him play different characters instead of playing it safe, which he tends to do too often, and with The Smashing Machine , there is a lot to be excited about when it comes to The Rock's career. Before its release, though, Ballers is absolutely worth watching.