Here’s a bold statement: even Hollywood’s biggest stars aren’t immune to box office bombs. And Dwayne Johnson just experienced one of the most surprising flops of his career with The Smashing Machine, the A24 drama that debuted to a mere $5.9 million domestically. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite the film’s dismal opening, Johnson is taking the setback with grace—and even calling it life-changing. Is he just putting on a brave face, or is there something deeper at play here? Let’s dive in.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Johnson reminded fans that “you can’t control box office results,” shifting the focus instead to what he can control: his performance. He praised director Benny Safdie for pushing him to transform into MMA fighter Mark Kerr, a role that required him to “completely disappear and go elsewhere.” Johnson’s gratitude was palpable: “It was my honor to transform in this role… This film has changed my life,” he wrote. And this is the part most people miss: even in failure, Johnson sees an opportunity for growth—a mindset that’s as inspiring as it is rare in Hollywood.
According to Variety, The Smashing Machine landed in third place at the box office, falling well below projections of $8 million to $15 million. This marks Johnson’s lowest opening weekend ever, dipping below his 2010 thriller Faster. For A24, which invested $50 million in production and millions more in promotion, it’s a significant blow. The film’s festival run at Venice and Toronto had sparked Oscar buzz, with Safdie even winning Best Director at Venice. Critics, even those less enthusiastic about the film, universally praised Johnson’s performance, tipping him as a strong contender for Best Actor.
The movie itself is a gritty, true-story drama, with Johnson portraying Kerr, a two-time UFC heavyweight champion, opposite Emily Blunt as his wife, Dawn. It explores their tumultuous relationship alongside Kerr’s professional highs and lows, including his battles with substance abuse. Kerr, a real-life MMA legend who fought from 1997 to 2009 and won four ADCC World Championships, brings a weighty authenticity to the story.
Here’s the controversial question: Does a film’s box office failure diminish its artistic value? Johnson clearly doesn’t think so, but what about you? The Smashing Machine is now playing nationwide, and while it may not be a commercial hit, it’s undeniably a passion project for everyone involved. Will you give it a chance, or is the box office verdict enough to keep you away? Let’s discuss in the comments—because sometimes, the most interesting stories are the ones that don’t follow the script.
