'The Smashing Machine' stumbles in debut round

'The Smashing Machine' opened to weak box office numbers, earning just $5.9 million domestically in its debut weekend - well below projections and a sharp departure from the blockbuster success usually associated with Dwayne Johnson's name.

The A24 drama, which transforms Johnson into Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) legend Mark Kerr, premiered to acclaim at the Venice Film Festival, where Benny Safdie won the Best Director prize, before screening at Toronto.

Posting to Instagram, Johnson admitted the financial outcome was disappointing but emphasised that box office numbers are beyond any actor's control. "In our storytelling world, you can't control box office results," he wrote.

Calling the project "life-changing," Johnson said what mattered most to him was fully committing to the role and disappearing into the character. "It was my honour to transform in this role. Truth is, this film has changed my life," he said.

With Oscar buzz swirling, critics have widely praised Johnson's intense, stripped-back performance. Industry watchers are now waiting to see whether 'The Smashing Machine' can find its footing in the weeks ahead and redefine Johnson's career beyond his action-hero mould.

Even mixed reviews singled out Johnson's dedication to embodying Kerr, whose struggles with substance abuse and turbulent personal life ran parallel to his success as a two-time UFC champion. Johnson is being viewed as a strong contender in the upcoming awards season.

Despite that recognition, the box office performance came as a blow. A24 reportedly spent around $50 million on production, in addition to substantial promotional costs. The $5.9 million opening - against expectations of $8–15 million - marks Johnson's lowest debut since Faster in 2010.