It gives The Rock a fighting chance to try something different with his acting career.

It would make sense that Dwayne Johnson would reconnect with his wrestling days, back when he was known as The Rock, by portraying the mixed martial artist Mark Kerr in “The Smashing Machine.” Different sports, but same intensity. It would also make sense that he should take on a different angle with his acting career, instead of being the big, tough, fun guy, as wisely demonstrated in “Moana,” “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” and in “Fast & Furious 5-7.” And as Mark, he’s partly disguised by make-up, hair, and his signature tattoo being covered for obvious reasons.

At times, we can tell it’s Dwayne Johnson, while at other times, he might look like a different actor. And all times, we’re convinced at his portrayal of Mark. And you better believe this wrestler took steroids, painkillers, and other drugs during his career. Even the camera likes to zoom in on one of containers. That’s how you know the film might pulsate a bit.

The story, which is based on the documentary of the same name, takes in the late 90s, when his fame gets the best of him. Not in the self-congratulatory fashion, but in the substance abuse and girlfriend pathos fashion. Writer/director/editor Benny Safdie makes the film look and feel like an 80s-90s movie with the cinematography and structure. I’m told that it was filmed on 16mm film, as well as some IMAX 70mm film and VHS cameras, so it all merges well with this side of fighting.

“Red One” cost between $200-250 million and was a worthless piece of crapola, and I seriously doubt “The Smashing Machine” cost that much to make if Johnson is able to rip pieces off a door. Either that door is cheap or fake you decide. But I was more interested in how Johnson portrays Mark than I was when he got slapped in the face and argued with Chris Evans in that Christmas bomb.

The weakest parts of “The Smashing Machine,” in my opinion, regard his complicated relationship with Dawn Staples (Emily Blunt, who collaborated with Johnson before in “Jungle Cruise”). It all regards his drugs and fame, which leaves her overwhelmed to the point of the depression. These scenes are raw, no doubt, but they start to get annoying and cliched with all the screaming.

But outside the arguments, we’re able to see Mark in his fighting days, especially his friendship with another fighter named Mark Coleman (Ryan Bader, a real life mixed martial artist) and the major tournament that determines his age and health. It’s all within the tensity of the sport.

We should see a different angle to Johnson, who merges inside Mark with consistency and emotions. Watching his electrifying performance on screen makes me wonder if Jason Statham can cut back on his formula action movie characters and have a new approach in his work. That’s probably a lot to hope for, but maybe we shouldn’t turn our backs on certain actors just yet. They do have their highs and lows, which all depends on the moment and commitments.

Safdie, without assistance from his brother Josh, and presents this story with the right lighting and ambiance (Maceo Bishop photographs and Nala Sinephro composes). And he doesn’t overexploit the leading man. And while the relationship story has its problems, there’s enough realism and exercise to show us fighting from this angle.

This is also the first A24 movie Johnson has acted in, which might be a minor note, but also proof that his versatility and what target audience “The Smashing Machine” is going for. You don’t always need tattoos, one-liners, and commercialism to sell a Rock movie, and maybe that’s what I find relaxing. After all, I saw it in a theater with less of that. So it mixes very well.