Dwayne Johnson reacts after ‘Smashing Machine’ suffers career-worst box office debut

Dwayne Johnson has responded after his new film The Smashing Machine opened to the weakest box office numbers of his career. The A24 drama, which sees him transform into UFC legend Mark Kerr, earned just $5.9 million domestically in its debut weekend, far below projections and marking a sharp departure from the blockbuster success usually tied to his name.

Posting to Instagram, Johnson admitted that the financial outcome was disappointing but emphasised that box office numbers are out of any actor’s control. “In our storytelling world, you can’t control box office results,” he wrote, adding that what mattered to him was fully committing to the role and disappearing into the character. He thanked director Benny Safdie for trusting him with the part, calling the project life-changing.

The film premiered to acclaim at the Venice Film Festival, where Safdie won the best director prize, and later screened at Toronto. Critics widely praised Johnson’s intense, stripped-back performance, which has been positioned as a strong contender in the upcoming awards season. Even mixed reviews of the film singled out his dedication to embodying Kerr, whose struggles with substance abuse and tumultuous personal life played out alongside his achievements as a two-time UFC heavyweight champion.

Despite that recognition, the box office results came as a blow. A24 spent around $50 million on the production, in addition to significant promotional costs. The $5.9 million opening landed in third place, behind expectations of $8 million to $15 million, and fell below Johnson’s previous career low with Faster in 2010. For a star more often associated with billion-dollar franchises, the result underscored the risks of pivoting into awards-focused drama.

Still, Johnson framed the moment as one of growth, stressing that his gratitude outweighed the financial disappointment. “It was my honor to transform in this role. Truth is this film has changed my life,” he said. With Oscar buzz swirling, industry watchers are waiting to see whether The Smashing Machine can find its legs in the weeks ahead and ultimately redefine Johnson’s career beyond the action-hero mould.