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

Directed by Ben Safide, The Smashing Machine experienced quite the slow start to its theatrical run, becoming Dwayne Johnson's worst opening at the box office.

By: Entertainment Desk

New Delhi | October 7, 2025 04:43 PM IST

3 min read

Dwayne Johnson's The Smashing Machine Box Office Collection

Dwayne Johnson with Mark Kerr, during the screening of The Smashing Machine. (Photo: Instagram/The Rock)

Nothing can truly make a film ‘box office’ proof. Stellar reviews, a great cast, a good story, or a hundred interviews to promote the film. All of it can still go very wrong when it comes to the theatrical run, and it seems like that is what is happening with Dwayne Johnson’s latest, The Smashing Machine. Despite getting great reviews and an amazing reception at film festivals across the world, the Ben Safdie directorial has officially become the film to have the worst opening day in The Rock’s career.

According to Variety, the film earned a mere $5.9 million (Rs 5.23 crore) domestically in the United States. With over 3000 shows in the country, the numbers are a bit of a shock, considering the amount of chatter around it since its premiere at the Venice International Film Festival. As reported by the same source, production company A24 has pumped in $50 million (Rs 443 crore) for the production of the film, not to mention the several other millions of dollars during its promotions and screenings at festivals.

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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.

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