Dwayne Johnson’s streaming success continues to attract attention as his 2018 film Skyscraper rises among the most streamed movies on Tubi in the U.S., despite mixed reviews at launch. While Johnson’s latest dramatic effort, The Smashing Machine, struggles with low box office numbers, Skyscraper has found a new audience online, illustrating the actor’s varied reception across different projects.
Skyscraper Gains Popularity on Tubi Despite Mixed Critiques
Skyscraper currently ranks within the top ten streamed movies on the free streaming platform Tubi in the United States. Upon its original release, the film divided critics and viewers alike: it holds a 48% critic score and a 67% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The aggregator’s summary described the film as “Well-cast yet derivative,” noting it does not reach the heights of great action thrillers but still offers a moderately engaging experience within the genre.
Critics have largely viewed Skyscraper as a formulaic action movie lacking innovation. Matt Goldberg of Collider gave it a ‘D’ rating, commenting,
“Skyscraper is the action movie at its most generic, but not at its most fun.” – Matt Goldberg, Collider
Goldberg elaborated,
“It should be a movie that gives us larger-than-life action with a fanciful building and Johnson’s charisma, but instead it gives us neither. Instead, we’re just passing the time as we can see every move telegraphed from a mile away (the first act may as well be characters pointing out rooms and areas that will come back in the third act). Rather than providing the comfort of an old-fashioned action movie, Skyscraper just feels stale.” – Matt Goldberg, Collider
Dwayne Johnson’s Dramatic Range Shown in The Smashing Machine
In contrast to the critique surrounding Skyscraper, Johnson’s performance in The Smashing Machine has surprised many who had previously doubted his acting capabilities. The film features Johnson as Mark Kerr and has drawn praise for his portrayal, which some consider award-worthy. Collider’s Anna Miller observed,
“Johnson’s performance of Kerr is perhaps more subdued than many may expect, but this is a good thing for both the film and its protagonist.” – Anna Miller, Collider
She added,
“Positive masculinity is a highlight of the film, as Johnson’s Kerr does not shy away from breaking down in tears, communicating his mental health struggles, or being openly affectionate with his best friend and coach.” – Anna Miller, Collider
Despite these commendations, The Smashing Machine has underperformed at the box office, slipping to eighth place domestically during its second weekend, reflecting a disconnect between critical praise and audience interest in theaters.
Skyscraper’s Cast and Characters
The action film Skyscraper stars Dwayne Johnson as Will Sawyer, an ex-FBI agent and war veteran who must save his family from a burning skyscraper controlled by terrorists. Neve Campbell plays Sarah Sawyer, Will’s wife, while Chin Han portrays Zhao Long Ji, a Hong Kong billionaire responsible for the skyscraper’s design. Other notable cast members include Roland Møller, who fills the role of antagonist Kores Botha.
Streaming Success Reflects Audience Preferences and Industry Trends
By gaining significant traction on Tubi, Skyscraper showcases how streaming platforms can revitalize films that struggled initially in theaters, especially those anchored by popular stars like Dwayne Johnson. This resurgence also underlines the shifting dynamics in viewing habits, where accessibility and convenience increasingly influence a movie’s success.
While The Smashing Machine demonstrates Johnson’s capacity to undertake challenging dramatic roles, Skyscraper’s popularity on streaming channels affirms his stronghold in action entertainment. Moving forward, these contrasting responses may guide Johnson’s choices and reveal how his diverse portrayals resonate across different formats and audiences.
