Coachella to Cannes: Celebrities turn to prestige acting

With Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson returning to the big screen this month with The Smashing Machine, should we be concerned about the number of celebrities taking roles in film?

From David Bowie in Labyrinth to Donald Trump in Home Alone 2, celebrities have found their way in front of movie cameras for decades, but we are now witnessing a shift in the kinds of films they are in. Dwayne Johnson, known for his roles in action and adventure franchises like Jumanji or Fast and Furious, exemplifies this change. His latest film, produced by arthouse studio A24, is much more angled towards critical attention than the family-friendly entertainment he usually provides.

XCX shows potential – her very active Letterboxd profile, which fans discovered in 2024, seems to indicate a genuine affection for film – but Jenner’s chances of a critically acclaimed performance seem low

Dance-pop artist, Charli XCX is also making the pivot to the big screen with a variety of projects set for release, but she seems to be bypassing the blockbuster phase and heading straight for indie film. She stars in Erupcja, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and is yet to be released in the UK. The Hollywood Reporter calls her performance ‘magnetic’, while The Guardian calls it a ‘safe trial run’. XCX is also spearheading promotion for Aidan Zamiri’s The Moment, based on an original idea by XCX herself, which releases in 2026 and follows a rising pop star juggling fame, the pressure of the music industry and preparations for her first arena tour. XCX is not the only film newcomer attached to The Moment, with reality star turned pop culture icon, Kylie Jenner set to make her acting debut in the film. XCX shows potential – her very active Letterboxd profile, which fans discovered in 2024, seems to indicate a genuine affection for film – but Jenner’s chances of a critically acclaimed performance seem low.

If wrestlers and reality stars are aiming for Oscar-buzz, does the industry have a problem?

Not necessarily. This isn’t the first time we’re seeing celebs gunning for awards. Lady Gaga famously starred as Ally Campana in 2018’s A Star is Born and was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar. Here we saw a film use the talents of a non-actor to its advantage, with Gaga’s vocal expertise aiding the performance. The Smashing Machine seems to be taking a similar approach, using Dwayne Johnson’s wrestling history to fuel his portrayal of UFC champion Mark Kerr. In these cases, the role seems more an extension of the star’s original passion. However, for many, the move to movies seems more like business.

With the rise of convenient streaming services and the increasing price of cinema tickets, movie-goers now face the decision of which movies to see in a cinema, and which to leave until a streaming release. Therefore, big studios are getting desperate, and smaller studios, like A24, need to compete with Hollywood giants to get customers in their seats over the newest superhero blockbuster. So how do you convince audiences to choose your movie?

A familiar face might help. This newfound attraction to celebrities may primarily be a marketing tactic to lure audiences with a personality they recognise. Likewise, the stars benefit from the new publicity they receive from the film’s promotion and reception. Look at Ariana Grande’s success post-Wicked, for instance.

It seems unfair to let celebrities with existing success potentially bypass the audition process due to their status

Not every star, however, has made a positive impact. Taylor Swift spent some time on the big screen with 2019’s disastrous Cats and 2022’s lacklustre Amsterdam. Madonna’s role in Swept Away won her Worst Actress of the Decade at the 2010 Razzie awards, and Harry Styles’ performance opposite Florence Pugh in Don’t Worry Darling left much to be desired. Perhaps some pop-culture figures should stay in their lane… In attempts to promote musical careers or their celebrity personalities, stars are stealing more spotlights on screen day by day, arguably taking away vital opportunities for new and developing actors. It seems unfair to let celebrities with existing success potentially bypass the audition process due to their status. With no acting experience, why should they receive the same benefits as offers-only veteran actors?

There are many promising actors waiting for their moment to shine, and the industry could be dialling it back on the pop-culture hires, especially when it comes to low-budget, independent film. Although, that can only happen if audiences make the choice to spend their money on new and interesting films rather than the biggest star-studded blockbusters. The strategies of studios react to the consumer habits of the audience, after all.

So, to keep pop-culture personalities out, viewers should be seeking out quality celebrity performances where they do exist and leaving the uncertainties, like Kylie Jenner’s upcoming debut, for a watch on streaming a few months later.