Los Angeles, Oct. 16 -- Christopher Nolan recently had high praise for Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's performance in 'The Smashing Machine,' calling it one of the best of the year.

According to Variety, Nolan, while speaking on 'The Director's Cut' podcast with the film's director Benny Safdie, described Johnson's portrayal of MMA fighter Mark Kerr as "heartbreaking" and "incredible."

"I think it's an incredible performance," Nolan added. "I don't think you'll see a better performance this year or in most other years."

The Oppenheimer filmmaker, who worked with Safdie on his Oscar-winning film, also shared how impressed he was with Safdie's latest project.

"Congratulations on the movie. It's a really remarkable and radical piece of work ...