- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s new film, The Smashing Machine, suffered his worst box office debut ever, earning only $6 million domestically on its opening weekend.
- Johnson responded on social media, emphasizing that while you can’t control box office results, he is immensely proud of his transformative performance.
- The A24 biopic chronicles the life of legendary MMA fighter Mark Kerr, including his struggles with painkiller addiction.
- Despite the low turnout, the film and Johnson’s performance have received significant critical acclaim, with director Benny Safdie winning an award at the Venice Film Festival.
Rock Bottom: Johnson’s Lowest Opening Ever
Dwayne Johnson is facing a major box office disappointment as his new A24 film, The Smashing Machine, marked the worst opening weekend of his career. The biopic, which tells the story of MMA legend Mark Kerr, earned a rough $6 million domestically, a stark contrast to the blockbuster numbers usually associated with the star.
Johnson’s Grateful Response to the News
Despite the low yield, Johnson took to social media to express his pride in the project. He stated that the film has “changed my life” and thanked director Benny Safdie for the opportunity.
“In our storytelling world, you can’t control box office results — but what I realized you can control is your performance, and your commitment to completely disappear and go elsewhere,” Johnson wrote on Instagram. “And I will always run to that opportunity.”
A Transformative and Critically-Praised Role
In the film, Johnson underwent a drastic physical transformation to portray Mark Kerr, whose story includes a rise to fame, a devastating addiction to painkillers, and a turbulent relationship with his wife, played by Emily Blunt. This commitment has not gone unnoticed by critics.
Festival Acclaim vs. Audience Turnout
While audiences may not have shown up, critics and festival juries have. The Smashing Machine premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where Benny Safdie won the Best Director prize. Johnson’s performance, in particular, has been widely praised as a career-best, highlighting a dramatic shift for the action star. The film ultimately took third place at the weekend box office.
