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Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has responded to the disappointing box office performance of his latest film, The Smashing Machine, which recorded the lowest opening weekend of his career, but the Hollywood star insists the experience has been nothing short of transformative.
The film, directed by Benny Safdie, earned $5.9 million in the US during its opening weekend, falling below expectations of between $8 million and $15 million. While critics praised Johnson’s intense and emotional performance, analysts have suggested that the film’s limited demographic appeal and digital-first promotional campaign may have hindered its commercial success.
However, Johnson himself is far from discouraged.
Taking to Instagram, the 52-year-old actor shared an emotional message with his 395 million followers:
“In our storytelling world, you can’t control box office results, but what I realised you can control is your performance, and your commitment to completely disappear and go elsewhere. And I will always run to that opportunity. Truth is, this film has changed my life.”
Johnson went on to thank audiences who have supported the movie, saying he was “grateful from deep in my bones,” before expressing admiration for director Safdie:
“It was my honour 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. With deep gratitude, respect and radical empathy, DJ.”
Johnson reunites with his Jungle Cruise co-star Emily Blunt, who plays Kerr's girlfriend Dawn Staples – Credit: A24
The Smashing Machine is a biographical sports drama inspired by the life of Mark Kerr, a former mixed martial art and wrestling champion whose career was marred by addiction and personal struggles. Johnson’s portrayal of Kerr has been described by critics as one of the most vulnerable and compelling performances of his career, a stark contrast to the high-octane action roles that made him a global superstar.
Industry publication Variety reported that the film’s $5.9 million opening ranks as Johnson’s lowest since 2010’s Faster, which earned $8.5 million. In the UK, it debuted in fourth place, making £863,078, placing it behind Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, which had already been showing for a month.
Despite the modest commercial start, the film’s critical reception has been largely positive, with praise directed at Safdie’s gritty direction and Johnson’s raw, stripped-down performance. Many see it as a defining moment in the actor’s career, a bold move away from blockbuster franchises and toward more character-driven storytelling.
For Johnson, The Smashing Machine appears to be more than just another project, it’s a personal and artistic turning point. Known for his optimism and relentless drive, the former WWE superstar has often spoken about embracing failure and finding growth through challenge.
In his post, he reflected that success isn’t always measured by numbers, but by authenticity and creative evolution. His heartfelt gratitude suggests that The Smashing Machine represents a deeper shift in how he views his craft and legacy.
While box office results might not reflect the scale of his passion, Johnson’s fans, and critics, agree on one thing: The Smashing Machine has proven that there’s much more to The Rock than muscle and mayhem.
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