Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is smashing expectations with his boldest role yet -- stepping away from blockbuster bravado to deliver a raw, unflinching turn in "The Smashing Machine."

It’s another week, another episode of "TMZ Movie Tea" with Jabeen Waheed ... and she’s serving up a must-see: Dwayne as real-life MMA legend Mark Kerr -- a fighter battling way more than opponents in the ring!

Addiction, fame, and a rocky marriage to Dawn ( Emily Blunt !!) fuel this brutal personal drama -- with Benny Safdi e in the director’s chair.

Early buzz says this could be the role that finally throws The Rock into the Oscar ring ... so, you watching or what?!

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