Dwayne Johnson is clearly serious about his recent promise to step away from formulaic blockbusters in favour of more character-driven work. His latest project, Breakthrough, sees him team up once again with A24 — this time for a psychological thriller that’s as moody and unpredictable as the star’s career pivot. The film, written by rising talent Zeke Goodman, is set in the early 2000s in Southern California and explores the murky world of self-help culture gone wrong.
In a rare supporting role, Johnson is set to portray a charismatic but deeply manipulative self-help guru who exerts a troubling influence over a disillusioned young man. The casting for the lead is still underway, and while no director has been attached just yet, the project is already drawing attention for its grounded, dramatic promise and its deviation from Johnson’s usual high-octane fare.
This move continues Johnson’s evolving partnership with A24, following his upcoming work on Benny Safdie’s Smashing Machine and an announced collaboration with Martin Scorsese. At 52, the actor appears to be embracing roles that trade spectacle for substance. As he told Variety last year, "I want to make films that matter, that explore humanity, struggle and pain […] I’m at this point where I want more. I don’t mean I want more box office. I mean I want more humanity."
While Johnson’s screen presence and affability have long been undeniable, critics have often pointed to a lack of risk in his past film choices. But with Breakthrough, the star seems to be leaning into ambiguity, vulnerability — and perhaps a bit of menace.
