Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has addressed the underwhelming box office performance of his new film The Smashing Machine, which opened to the lowest weekend total of his career.
Despite rave reviews for Johnson’s performance, the film managed to earn just $6 million across more than 3,345 theaters in the U.S. – far below projections of $8–15 million.
According to Variety, the $50 million A24 production, directed and co-produced by Benny Safdie, landed in third place for its opening weekend. That makes it Johnson’s weakest theatrical debut since his 2010 action drama Faster.
Speaking out after the film’s release, Johnson remained positive, focusing on the critical response rather than the box office numbers. He thanked fans and reviewers for embracing his portrayal of Mark Kerr, a troubled wrestling and MMA legend whose story blends success, pain, and addiction.
Here’s what The People’s Champion wrote:
“From deep in my grateful bones, thank you to everyone who has watched ‘The Smashing Machine’.
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.
And I will always run to that opportunity.
It was my honor to transform in this role for my director Benny Safdie @bowedtie. Thank you brother for believing in me.
Truth is this film has changed my life.
With deep gratitude, respect and radical empathy,
dj”
While The Smashing Machine may not have drawn big audiences in its opening weekend, the film has been widely praised for showcasing a different side of The Rock. Critics have called his portrayal of Kerr “raw,” “vulnerable,” and “career-defining,” with some suggesting it could earn him his first-ever Academy Award nomination.
The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, where Safdie won the Silver Lion for Best Director, and has since maintained strong word-of-mouth for both its direction and Rock’s performance.
Starring Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Oleksandr Usyk, the movie explores Mark Kerr’s rise and fall in the combat sports world – and Rock’s commitment to the role has been one of the biggest talking points surrounding the film.
Though the box office results have been disappointing, The Smashing Machine may still prove to be a defining moment in Dwayne Johnson’s acting career – one that shifts his legacy from blockbuster superstar to serious awards contender.
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