Dwayne Johnson stars in A24 psychological thriller Breakthrough, stepping into a dramatic role that departs from his usual action-packed and family-friendly characters, as announced last week. Johnson will portray a complex and morally ambiguous motivational guru in A24’s latest project set in Southern California at the dawn of the new millennium.
Johnson Embarks on His Most Challenging Role Yet
Having built a diverse Hollywood legacy since his early acting roles in The Mummy Returns and television cameos like That ‘70s Show and Star Trek: Voyager, Dwayne Johnson is venturing outside his comfort zone for Breakthrough. This time, the pro-wrestler-turned-actor trades comedic and action genres for a layered, psychologically intense persona. The film promises to showcase Johnson in a way audiences have not seen before, as he embraces the darkness and depth of a manipulative leader.
After being named the lead for Breakthrough, Johnson expressed his anticipation and readiness with fans and followers, emphasizing the significance the project holds for him. In his words,
“I’ve been very hungry (and grateful) for this kind of challenge. The story is a deep dark psychological dive into the culture of motivational “gurus”, and those souls seeking to find their greater purpose in life. It’s a character I can try to unhinge. And perhaps rip open.”
—Dwayne Johnson, Actor
The screenplay for Breakthrough is written by Zeke Goodman, who is best known for his performances in Amazon’s adaptations of I Know What You Did Last Summer and Cruel Intentions, though this time, Goodman is behind the script. No director has officially been announced, and Johnson is currently the only confirmed cast member. The storyline centers on a young man drawn into the orbit of Johnson’s charismatic motivational guru, whose questionable methods blur ethical lines during the waning days of the Y2K era.
A24 and Dwayne Johnson Team Up Again
Breakthrough marks another collaboration between Dwayne Johnson and A24. They are already working together on The Smashing Machine, a biographical drama about ex-MMA fighter Mark Kerr, scheduled to release on October 3. That film, directed and written by Benny Safdie, will see Johnson return to his wrestling roots, joined by cast members Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples, Lyndsey Gavin as Elizabeth Coleman, and Ryan Bader as Mark Coleman.
This renewed partnership between Johnson and A24 positions both Breakthrough and The Smashing Machine as highly anticipated projects, generating attention around Johnson’s evolving career and the studio’s ongoing ventures into intense, character-driven stories. Both films build on Johnson’s reputation as a versatile performer while allowing the studio to spotlight psychological complexity and moral ambiguity.
Anticipation Builds for Breakthrough’s Release
Breakthrough remains shrouded in mystery, with further casting details and the director yet to be revealed. Dwayne Johnson’s involvement alone has ignited fan interest, promising a unique take on the “guru” archetype amid the fallout of Y2K in Southern California. As details emerge, the project is poised to expand Johnson’s screen persona into unexplored, emotionally charged territory.
Audiences eager to see how Johnson approaches this darker role can expect frequent updates as the film moves through production. The actor’s commitment to taking on intensely psychological material, alongside his reunion with A24, sets the stage for a compelling narrative that may redefine his career path.
