Dwayne Johnson remains steadfastly proud of his recent venture with The Smashing Machine, despite its lackluster box office performance. Released over the weekend, the A24 film, directed by Benny Safdie, follows Johnson’s portrayal of UFC Hall of Famer Mark Kerr as he grapples with the challenges of his fighting career and opioid addiction. With opening weekend earnings of $6 million, it marked the lowest debut in Johnson’s illustrious career.
In a post on Instagram, the actor expressed his gratitude to those who supported the film, stating, “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.”
He further emphasized, “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.”
The Smashing Machine, co-starring Emily Blunt as Kerr’s ex-girlfriend, garnered significant acclaim during its summer premiere at the Venice Film Festival. As awards season approaches, both Johnson and Blunt are poised as potential Oscar contenders for their work in the film.
Critically, the film has received positive reviews, with critics highlighting Johnson’s performance. In a review for The Hollywood Reporter, critic Jordan Mintzer noted, “He manages to go deep here without overdoing it, killing the audience with kindness as a benign warrior who suffers from one scene to another, triumphing briefly in the ring before succumbing to addiction and romantic grief.”
During a recent interview with THR, Kerr praised Johnson’s genuine nature, stating, “He’s completely, completely giving himself to you in the conversation he’s having with you, which is just amazing.”
This reflective journey underscores the unpredictable nature of box office success and the subjective valuation of artistic merit in cinema.
Based on reporting by Hollywood Reporter. Read the full story at Hollywood Reporter.
