Dwayne Johnson's Latest Film Shatters Expectations—In the Worst Way Possible
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is undeniably one of the most successful athletes-turned-actors in modern cinema. With global box office earnings surpassing $15 billion, he’s often seen as a guaranteed draw for audiences worldwide. But even the biggest stars have their limits, and his newest release, "The Smashing Machine," painfully proves it. Against all expectations, this film has recorded the lowest opening weekend ever for a movie where Johnson is the lead.
Directed by Benny Safdie and released by A24, "The Smashing Machine" debuted with a mere $6 million domestically last weekend (https://www.slashfilm.com/1988417/the-smashing-machine-box-office-flop-reasons/). This figure fell drastically short of pre-release predictions, which had suggested a conservative $10 million. Adding insult to injury, the film carries a hefty $50 million production budget, not including marketing costs. For context, this now surpasses Johnson's previous low, which was the $8.5 million opening for "Faster," a film that grossed $35 million worldwide.
Several factors contributed to this disappointing performance, including unfortunate timing. Pop superstar Taylor Swift released "The Official Release Party of A Showgirl" over the same weekend, pulling in an impressive $33 million and dominating the box office (https://www.slashfilm.com/1988462/taylor-swift-saved-box-office-showgirl-opening-weekend/). When A24 initially scheduled "The Smashing Machine," Swift’s release was not on the horizon. While studios often use contrasting releases to attract different audiences, this time, it clearly didn’t work out that way.
It’s worth noting that Johnson has appeared in films with smaller openings before, like his brief role in "Jem and the Holograms" ($1.3 million). However, that was an early cameo rather than a leading role. This new film, on the other hand, is a high-profile, awards-season-leaning biopic about MMA legend Mark Kerr. Critics have lauded Johnson’s performance, and whispers of Oscar potential have even surfaced (https://www.slashfilm.com/1985584/the-smashing-machine-the-rock-showcase-like-never-before/). Yet, astonishingly, even his immense star power couldn’t draw a larger audience.
Why a Star of Johnson's Caliber Couldn't Save This Film
Once known as "franchise Viagra" for his ability to elevate blockbusters, Johnson has a history of turning movies into massive hits. "Fast Five" earned $626 million globally, largely due to his introduction as Hobbs (https://www.slashfilm.com/1291516/tales-from-box-office-fast-five-dawn-new-era-fast-furious/). He similarly revitalized the "Jumanji" franchise and contributed to the staggering $1 billion success of "Moana 2" just last year (https://www.slashfilm.com/1872022/lilo-and-sitch-final-destination-bloodlines-moana-2-common-streaming-box-office/).
But even a megastar’s influence has limits, especially when it comes to dramas aimed at adult audiences or original, unconventional projects. Johnson has openly admitted that his career previously focused on box office successes (https://www.slashfilm.com/1956892/the-rock-box-office-damage-acting-career-change/). With "The Smashing Machine," he intentionally stepped into a more challenging, artistically demanding role, seeking to grow as an actor rather than chase commercial hits.
On paper, Johnson seemed perfectly positioned to attract mainstream audiences to this compelling story. In reality, it didn’t pan out that way. Despite this, he remains positive and gracious. Taking to Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/DPeYE2PkYDR/), he thanked fans who saw the movie and reflected on the unpredictable nature of box office results:
"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, and your commitment to completely disappear and go elsewhere. And I will always run to that opportunity."
He also praised director Benny Safdie: "It was my honor 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."
"The Smashing Machine" is currently playing in theaters, leaving audiences to witness a rare moment where even a Hollywood superstar faces the humbling unpredictability of the film industry.
What do you think—does this show that star power alone can’t carry a serious drama, or was it just bad timing? Share your thoughts below!
