Dwayne Johnson faced a surprising box office upset this weekend as his latest film debuted to just $5.9 million in the United States, marking the lowest debut of his career.
The R-rated biopic, The smashing machine, about UFC champion Mark Kerr was Johnson’s personal project and directed by Benny Safdie, who won the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
The film raised high hopes after its premiere in Venice, where it received very good reviews and a long standing ovation.
Audiences were surprised when the story focused on addiction rather than a typical underdog sports story.
However, the film earned a B-CinemaScore, which shows that it struggled to convince general audiences.
With a budget of $50 million, supported in part by tax credits and foreign sales estimated at $35 million, the film is expected to lose around $10 million to $15 million.
A24 was criticized for its marketing, which focused heavily on online promotion and trend-setting audiences, while missing older viewers.
The film also faced stiff competition from other releases, including Taylor Swift’s surprise release. Night out for a Showgirlwhich attracted the attention and space of the theater.
One report states that wrestling-themed films often have a limited box office ceiling, but Johnson’s film still opened higher than similar titles like The Wrestler and The Iron Claw.
The Rock, who took a big pay cut for the project, said the film changed his life and reminded him why he chooses difficult roles.
Additionally, fans can expect Dwayne Johnson to bounce back with major upcoming projects, including Disney’s live-action Moana and Sony’s Jumanji 3 in 2026.
