The Rock Says He’s “Hungry” to Go Dark in New A24 Thriller ‘Breakthrough’

The Rock is stepping far outside his usual action hero lane — and he’s ready to get unhinged.

On May 28, 2025, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson broke his silence about his upcoming psychological thriller Breakthrough, marking his second project with A24. In a tweet that quickly caught fire among fans, Johnson revealed what drew him to the film — and it’s nothing like Hobbs or Black Adam.

“I’ve been very hungry (and grateful) for this kind of challenge,” Johnson tweeted. “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.”

In Breakthrough, Johnson takes on the role of a manipulative self-help guru — a pivotal but supporting character whose charm hides a darker agenda. The film, set in early 2000s Southern California, follows an alienated young man who becomes entangled in the world of this charismatic figure. The script is written by Zeke Goodman, with casting still underway and no director officially attached.

This project marks a big shift for Johnson, who’s built a career around explosive action blockbusters. But with Breakthrough — and his upcoming A24 film The Smashing Machine, where he portrays MMA legend Mark Kerr — he’s clearly digging into roles with deeper psychological weight and emotional complexity.

It’s a stark contrast from his past work, and it shows Johnson’s serious effort to evolve beyond action stardom and into more dramatic territory.

Is this the version of The Rock we’ve been waiting for? Should he keep pushing into darker roles like Breakthrough, or do you want to see him return to popcorn action blockbusters? Drop your take in the comments.