Dwayne Johnson reacts as The Smashing Machine faces brutal first round at the box office, becomes his worst opener ever: ‘It changed my life’

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Dwayne, however, seems to be rolling with the punches, as he posted a message on his Instagram, thanking the director for the opportunity and telling people to let go of box office numbers. He wrote, “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 realised you can control is your performance and your commitment to completely disappear and go elsewhere. And I will always run to that opportunity. It was my honour to transform into this role for my director Benny Safdie. Thank you, brother, for believing in me. The truth is this film has changed my life. With deep gratitude, respect and radical empathy.”

Despite poor reviews of the album, Taylor Swift’s listening party/film titled ‘Release Party of a Showgirl’ minted $33 million in the US alone. Things have just started for The Smashing Machine, and the numbers might get better as word of mouth starts spreading around about Dwayne’s performance, which is being hailed by many to be Oscar-worthy.

Directed by Safdie, The Smashing Machine has Dwayne playing the real-life UFC fighter Mark Kerr. The cast also includes Emily Blunt, Bas Rutten, and Ryan Bader.