From Venice Ovation to Box Office KO: The Shocking Story of The Smashing Machine
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the undisputed king of the blockbuster, just took his biggest swing yet—not in the wrestling ring or a jungle-themed action flick, but in a gritty, transformative drama that had Oscar-buzz from the moment it was announced. The Smashing Machine, directed by the acclaimed Benny Safdie and produced by the indie powerhouse A24, was poised to be Johnson’s career-defining moment. Instead, it delivered a shocking blow at the box office, becoming the worst opening of his entire career.
The Smashing Machine earned just $5.9 million in its opening weekend, marking a career-low for the action star who typically commands nine-figure box office debuts. This dramatic underperformance has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, raising questions about the viability of serious dramatic roles for blockbuster stars.
The film, which premiered to a 15-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival, was knocked out in its opening weekend, pulling in a dismal $5.9 million to $6 million domestically. For a star accustomed to nine-figure openings, this was a stunning commercial failure, especially for a film with a reported $50 million budget. So, what happened? How did a film with so much critical praise and awards potential fail to connect with audiences?
Caption: Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr in A24’s “The Smashing Machine.” Credit: A24 Source: Variety
Who is Mark Kerr, the “Smashing Machine”?
To understand the film, you have to understand the man. Mark Kerr, nicknamed “The Smashing Machine,” was a force of nature in the early days of mixed martial arts. An NCAA Division I wrestling champion, Kerr transitioned to MMA in 1997 and quickly became a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion. His raw power and relentless fighting style made him one of the most feared competitors in the sport. His story was first chronicled in the 2002 HBO documentary, also titled The Smashing Machine, which unflinchingly detailed his struggles with opioid addiction at the height of his fame.
Benny Safdie’s film dives deep into this dark and complex period of Kerr’s life, exploring the immense pressure he faced both in and out of the octagon. It’s a story of a man who was both a titan and a tragedy, a theme that has become a signature of the Safdie brothers’ work in films like Uncut Gems and Good Time.
Caption: The real Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion. Credit: Getty Images Source: Time
The Rock’s Transformation: A Career-Defining Performance?
For years, critics have wondered when Dwayne Johnson would take on a role that truly tested his dramatic abilities. With The Smashing Machine, he finally did. Johnson underwent a dramatic physical and emotional transformation to portray Kerr, shedding his charismatic movie-star persona to embody a man broken by addiction and the pressures of fame. The result is a performance that has been widely hailed as the best of his career.
The Hollywood Reporter’s Jordan Mintzer wrote that Johnson “manages to go deep here without overdoing it, killing the audience with kindness as a benign warrior who suffers from one scene to the next.” Even critics who were mixed on the film itself praised Johnson’s commitment to the role, with many still considering him a strong contender for a Best Actor nomination at the Academy Awards.
What Went Wrong? Analyzing the Box Office Failure
Despite the critical acclaim and Oscar buzz, The Smashing Machine failed to find its footing at the box office. The film’s dark, intense subject matter and R-rating likely proved to be a tough sell for mainstream audiences accustomed to seeing Johnson in more family-friendly action-comedies. The film’s marketing, which focused on the gritty realism of the story, may have alienated fans of The Rock’s usual blockbuster fare.
Furthermore, the film’s $50 million budget, while modest for a typical Dwayne Johnson vehicle, is a significant investment for an indie studio like A24. While the studio has had massive success with films like Everything Everywhere All at Once, this is a stark reminder that even with a major star attached, challenging, adult-oriented dramas face an uphill battle at the box office. It’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy that, in this case, didn’t pay off commercially.
The Rock Responds: “You Can’t Control Box Office Results”
In the face of the disappointing box office numbers, Dwayne Johnson took to Instagram to share his thoughts on the film’s performance. In a heartfelt post, he expressed his pride in the project and his gratitude for the experience.
“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,” Johnson wrote. “It was my honor to transform in this role for my director, Benny Safdie. Thank you brother for believing in me. Truth is this film has changed my life.”
His response highlights the passion he has for the film and his commitment to taking on more challenging roles, regardless of their commercial prospects. It’s a sentiment that has been echoed by fans and critics alike, who have applauded him for taking such a bold creative risk.
What’s Next for The Rock and A24?
The commercial failure of The Smashing Machine raises interesting questions about the future of both its star and its studio. For Dwayne Johnson, it may signal a continued desire to balance his blockbuster career with more artistically ambitious projects, similar to how other action stars have successfully transitioned to dramatic roles. For A24, it’s a calculated risk that, while not a financial success, has generated significant awards buzz and further solidified their reputation as a home for bold, director-driven cinema.
The film’s failure also highlights the ongoing challenges facing independent films in today’s theatrical landscape. Even with a major star attached, adult-oriented dramas struggle to find audiences in an increasingly franchise-dominated marketplace. This trend has been documented extensively by industry analysts at The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, who note the growing divide between blockbuster spectacles and prestige pictures.
While the film may not have been a box office champion, its impact may be felt for years to come. It’s a powerful story of a complex and fascinating figure, and it features a performance that has redefined what we can expect from one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Sometimes, the biggest wins aren’t measured in dollars and cents.
References
- https://variety.com/2025/film/news/dwayne-johnson-smashing-machine-worst-box-office-opening-1236541398/
- https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/dwayne-johnson-smashing-machine-box-office-response-1236394148/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smashing_Machine:_The_Life_and_Times_of_Extreme_Fighter_Mark_Kerr
