Dwayne Johnson's 'Smashing Machine' Hits Career-Low $6M Opening Weekend

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's latest film, "The Smashing Machine," a biopic about UFC champion Mark Kerr, opened to disappointing box office numbers, marking the lowest opening in Johnson's career with around $6 million. Despite the financial underperformance, the film received critical acclaim, including a 15-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival and a Best Director prize for Benny Safdie. Johnson expressed gratitude to fans and emphasized that while box office results are uncontrollable, the commitment to performance and storytelling remains paramount, calling the film a life-changing experience. The movie, produced by A24 with a $50 million budget, explores Kerr's rise, struggles with addiction, and the early days of MMA, featuring real combat sports personalities like Oleksandr Usyk. Johnson acknowledged the film's financial challenges but highlighted his pride in taking creative risks and the personal transformation involved in portraying Kerr. Overall, the project represents a significant departure from Johnson's typical blockbuster roles, showcasing a more dramatic and emotional side of the actor.