Dwayne Johnson Responds to Career-Low Opening of 'The Smashing Machine': "This Film Changed My Life"

Blockbuster success is nothing new to Dwayne "The Rock," but his most recent movie, 'The Smashing Machine,' has surprisingly had the lowest opening of any of his previous films. The inspirational biopic, which starred Johnson as MMA great Mark Kerr and was directed by Benny Safdie, opened to just $5.9–6 million domestically in the first weekend of October 2025. This was significantly below Johnson's usual quality and far below expectations. 

In response to harsh comparisons to 'One Battle After Another,' and the concert movie 'Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl,' Johnson has spoken out about what really counts when the box office underperforms.

The Smashing Machine: Ambition, Niche Appeal, and Box Office Struggles

Mark Kerr, a mixed martial artist whose career peaked in the late 1990s and early 2000s, is the subject of the biographical drama 'The Smashing Machine.' Kerr's athletic highs, battles with addiction, and interpersonal relationships—including his relationship with Emily Blunt's character Dawn Staples—are all explored in the movie. 

Image Courtesy: Collider

Safdie won Best Director at the Venice Film Festival, when the film received a 15-minute standing ovation at its world debut. Johnson's emotional portrayal and physical metamorphosis were hailed by critics as a break from his usual action-hero character. However, in spite of festival praise, the movie was unable to convert excitement into box office success. It opened with less than the $8–15 million expected, and it was outshone by 'One Battle After Another' ($10–11 million), and 'Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl' ($33 million). 

Image Courtesy: Gold Derby

The topic's specialized appeal, the departure from Johnson's typical mass-market fare, the limited marketing reach to older audiences, and poor word-of-mouth are some of the difficulties identified by analysts. The anticipated $50 million budget for the movie puts further strain on its box office results. 

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Johnson's Take: Ownership and Career Trajectory

In response to the disappointing opening, Johnson posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, which read, "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…It was my honor to transform in this role…Truth is this film has changed my life."

He reaffirmed his dedication to work that challenge him creatively, expressed gratitude to the audience, and admitted that a performer has no control over theatrical returns. Additionally, he expressed gratitude to Safdie for believing in him and for introducing him to the concept of "radical empathy," which he claims changed his viewpoint.

Image Courtesy: Forbes

Blockbuster hits like 'Jumanji,' the 'Fast & Furious' films, and 'Moana 2' (which had a great start) have characterized Johnson's filmography and solidified his status as a bankable star. This change to a raw, conflicted, character-driven film signals an evolution in his career: less focus on guaranteed box office returns and more on storytelling that "matters." 

Johnson's recent comments suggest that he is not giving up on big-budget movies but rather is broadening his creative horizons to encompass more significant, human tales.

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