Dwayne Johnson’s new dramatic film, The Smashing Machine, released this fall, has become the lowest-grossing opening of his career, bringing unexpected disappointment to the former pro wrestler’s push toward serious acting. The movie, a biopic about MMA pioneer Mark Kerr, debuted with a domestic box office haul of just $6 million, falling far short of earlier projections and sparking concerns about Johnson’s evolving career path.
A Surprising Box Office Disappointment for Johnson’s New Role
After dominating Hollywood as the leading man in various action blockbusters, Dwayne Johnson sought a challenging change by starring in Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine. The film aimed to present Johnson in a more artistically ambitious light, portraying an MMA fighter in a story expected to attract awards attention. However, the film managed only $6 million in domestic ticket sales during its opening weekend, significantly below the $20 million projection. This poor debut makes it Johnson’s lowest opening weekend performance to date, with the film anticipated to land in third place behind One Battle After Another, which pulled in $11.1 million, and Taylor Swift’s concert film, The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, which earned $33 million.
What Factors Led to The Smashing Machine’s Weak Box Office Performance?
The underwhelming box office results for The Smashing Machine come as a shock, considering Johnson’s consistent ability to attract audiences. Over the course of his career, his films have collectively grossed over $15 billion worldwide, and he has proven to be a dependable box office draw. Despite often mixed critical reception, his presence in franchises and standalone films has previously translated into strong commercial success. This biopic, however, marked a significant departure from his usual action fare, leading to expectations that his improved critical reception and award buzz would convert into ticket sales. Unfortunately, these hopes did not materialize.
While the film has received some recognition—winning Best Director at the Venice Film Festival and earning one of the best reviews of Johnson’s career—it did not generate the strong critical acclaim typical of more successful award contenders. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a Certified Fresh rating, but when compared to rival films like One Battle After Another, it lacked the essential must-see momentum before release. Additionally, its CinemaScore grade of B- reflects lukewarm audience reactions, indicating viewers were not fully captivated.
Unlike many box office disappointments that suffer from fierce competition, The Smashing Machine faced relatively little rivalry directly aimed at its core audience. Nonetheless, it had to contend with notable releases that diverted potential moviegoers. One Battle After Another is gaining strong traction as an awards favorite, likely drawing cinephiles away from the Safdie film. More unexpectedly, the surprise mid-September release of The Official Release Party of a Showgirl dominated screens, pulling away showtimes that may have otherwise been assigned to Johnson’s film. Although these films targeted different demographics, their presence likely contributed to the limited exposure and lower box office turnout for The Smashing Machine.
An Uncertain Future for Johnson’s Acting Trajectory
The disappointing reception to this serious dramatic effort leaves questions about the direction Dwayne Johnson’s career will take next. After years of success in action blockbusters like San Andreas and Rampage, the star’s move toward more nuanced, serious roles seems to have hit a roadblock. His recent action films such as Black Adam and Red One have also shown signs of audience fatigue, reinforcing the logic behind his attempt to shift into drama. Yet, with The Smashing Machine failing to capture audience interest, the path ahead may require recalibration.
Johnson’s upcoming project is a live-action adaptation of Moana, which appears to be a safer commercial bet given its family-friendly appeal. Beyond that, he reportedly plans to collaborate with esteemed filmmaker Martin Scorsese and star Leonardo DiCaprio in a drama centered on Hawaiian organized crime. Such high-profile partnerships reflect Johnson’s continued desire to expand his acting range and work with respected auteurs. The results of these ventures may determine whether Johnson can revitalize his career with serious roles or if he will ultimately return to more familiar territory.
Despite the setbacks, Johnson remains a major figure in entertainment whose choices are closely watched by audiences and industry insiders alike. The mixed reception to The Smashing Machine demonstrates the risks inherent in breaking new ground, especially when shifting from widely popular genres into more contemplative cinema. As his career evolves, the impact of this box office bomb on his broader trajectory will be closely analyzed, particularly as he balances commercial viability with artistic ambition.
“The Smashing Machine Review: Wonderfully Humbled, And Better For It” – Unattributed
