- Famed director Christopher Nolan has showered Dwayne Johnson’s performance in “The Smashing Machine” with extraordinary praise, calling it “incredible” and potentially the best of the year.
- The endorsement provides a significant boost to Johnson’s dramatic turn as MMA fighter Mark Kerr, a role he considers life-changing.
- Nolan’s high praise comes as a stark contrast to the film’s disappointing box office results, which marked a career low for Johnson.
- The film, directed by Benny Safdie, also stars Emily Blunt, who connected with Safdie on the set of Nolan’s own Oscar-winning film, “Oppenheimer.”
A Surprising Endorsement from a Visionary Director
In a move that has captured the attention of Hollywood, “Oppenheimer” director Christopher Nolan has given a surprising and powerful endorsement to Dwayne Johnson’s dramatic performance in the A24 film, “The Smashing Machine.” Speaking on “The Director’s Cut” podcast with the film’s director, Benny Safdie, Nolan offered praise that could reshape the narrative around the film and Johnson’s acting career.
Nolan’s “Heartbreaking” Praise
Nolan did not mince words, describing Johnson’s portrayal of troubled MMA champion Mark Kerr as both “incredible” and “heartbreaking.” The Oscar-winning director went even further, making a bold claim about the quality of the performance.
“I think it’s an incredible performance,” Nolan stated. “I don’t think you’ll see a better performance this year or most other years.”
This high praise comes from one of the most respected filmmakers in the industry, lending significant weight to Johnson’s Oscar campaign. Nolan also commended Safdie’s work, calling the movie “a really remarkable and radical piece of work that will be understood more and more over time.”
The ‘Oppenheimer’ Connection
The connection between the filmmakers runs deep. Safdie, an accomplished actor in his own right, was directed by Nolan in “Oppenheimer.” It was on the set of that historical epic that Safdie met Emily Blunt, who plays Kerr’s wife, Dawn Staples, in “The Smashing Machine.” Nolan joked with Safdie, “I heard a rumor that when you were supposed to be learning your lines on my set, you were actually canvassing people to be in your movie.”
Critical Acclaim vs. Box Office Reality
Despite the critical acclaim and Nolan’s powerful endorsement, “The Smashing Machine” has struggled to find an audience. The film’s $5.9 million opening weekend was a career low for Johnson, falling below his 2010 thriller “Faster.” With a production budget of $50 million, the film’s box office performance has been a significant disappointment.
However, Johnson remains focused on the artistic achievement. In a statement following the film’s soft opening, he emphasized his commitment to the craft over commercial results.
“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 said. “Truth is this film has changed my life. With deep gratitude, respect and radical empathy, DJ.”
Image Referance: https://variety.com/2025/film/news/christopher-nolan-praises-dwayne-johnson-smashing-machine-1236553426/