The Rock Joins A24’s Dark Thriller ‘Breakthrough’ as Manipulative Guru

The Rock is stepping out of the wrestling ring and diving deep into the world of psychological thrillers—this time with A24.

According to Deadline, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has signed on to co-star in Breakthrough, a new A24 film set in turn-of-the-millennium Southern California. The film follows “an alienated young man who comes under the influence of a motivational guru, whose intoxicating charm masks his morally questionable methods of manipulation and his own concealed darkness.”

Johnson will take on the role of the manipulative guru, a supporting but pivotal character. While no director has been attached yet, the script is being written by Zeke Goodman. Casting is still underway for the lead and other supporting roles.

This marks The Rock’s second collaboration with A24. He’s already starring in The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie, which is slated for release in October. That film sees Johnson portray legendary MMA fighter Mark Kerr in a gritty biopic.

With Breakthrough, Johnson is pivoting into much darker material, trading big explosions and action sequences for emotional manipulation and psychological tension. It’s a far cry from Hobbs in Fast & Furious or Black Adam—and that’s exactly what makes it interesting.