Brandon Sanderson Defends Dwayne Johnson’s Acting Chops

Brandon Sanderson has made it clear he’s not joining the chorus of voices criticising Dwayne Johnson’s performances. During a recent podcast, the author took a moment to highlight what he sees as Johnson’s real strength: carving out a distinctive place for himself in the world of cinema and sticking to it, even as detractors pile on.

I keep pointing out, I say, The Rock is a good actor. The Rock has found a persona that people really like, that is successful, and he often acts that character, but people are too hard on The Rock.

It’s no secret that Johnson has faced his fair share of flak for repeatedly taking on similar roles. Yet, Sanderson argues there’s more to the man than meets the eye. He points to Johnson’s ability to keep audiences entertained, even when his imposing physique seems at odds with the characters he’s playing. Take, for instance, his turn in Jumanji, where he manages to convince as a socially awkward nerd, despite his unmistakable frame.

I think even things like Jumanji, he’s showing a lot of range, and if you watch this clip, you’ll be like, ‘Wow, he plays a befuddled nerd, and you can almost forget that it’s a man who has biceps the size of my head, who is playing the befuddled nerd. He’s good.

Despite a handful of box office misfires, Johnson hasn’t lost sight of what matters to him. After years of headlining big-budget action flicks, he’s now venturing into more modest, independent territory, seeking out projects that resonate on a personal level.

Typecast in Tinseltown

Johnson has spoken candidly about the realities of working in Hollywood, where commercial interests often take precedence over creative freedom. His experience filming The Smashing Machine, a sports biopic, forced him to confront his own reluctance to show vulnerability on screen. The process, he admits, was daunting.

At the Venice Film Festival, he reflected on the pressures that come with being pigeonholed by the industry:

It can push you into a corner and category – ‘This is your lane, this is what you do, and this is what people want you to be, and this is what Hollywood wants you to be.’

While he doesn’t regret any of his past choices, even those that failed to set the box office alight, Johnson acknowledges that being boxed in has made it tricky to explore new territory as an actor.

Recognition at Last

Sanderson’s faith in Johnson’s abilities appears to be well placed. This year, Johnson finds himself in the running for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, thanks to his performance in The Smashing Machine. The film itself may not have set the tills ringing, but critics have singled out Johnson’s work as a highlight, with some going so far as to call it revelatory.

Details for the film are as follows: directed by Benny Safdie, released on 3 October 2025, distributed by A24, and currently holding a 70% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Not a bad showing for a project that marks a significant shift in Johnson’s career trajectory.

With this new direction, it seems likely that Johnson will continue to seek out roles that allow him to flex his acting muscles, rather than simply relying on his star power. Whether audiences will follow him on this journey remains to be seen, but for now, Sanderson’s support offers a timely reminder that there’s more to Johnson than meets the eye.