Dwayne Johnson trades blockbuster charm for raw vulnerability in The Smashing Machine, and critics are calling it a career-defining performance—but audiences aren't showing up. The 2025 biographical sports drama, directed by Benny Safdie and released by A24 on October 3, tells the unforgettable true story of UFC legend Mark Kerr, capturing his meteoric rise in mixed martial arts and the devastating personal battles that followed.

Award Glory Meets Box Office Struggle

The film premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2025, where it earned Safdie the prestigious Silver Lion for Best Director. The Venice audience gave it a 15-minute standing ovation, with critics praising Johnson's transformative turn as Kerr, noting he "disappears completely" beneath prosthetics and delivers "a revelation" of emotional depth. Deadline's Damon Wise described Johnson's portrayal as "truly exceptional," while The Independent boldly labeled him "a future Oscar winner". Emily Blunt co-stars as Kerr's girlfriend Dawn Staples, delivering what critics call a "searing" and "powerful" performance that balances compassion with exhaustion.

The Numbers Tell a Different Story

Despite critical acclaim, The Smashing Machine is struggling at the domestic box office. The film opened with just $6.2 million across its first weekend—the lowest wide-release opening ever for a Johnson-led film, falling well short of initial $20 million projections.

With a reported production budget of $50 million, the underwhelming debut raises questions about the film's commercial viability. Variety reported that the film earned only $2.6 million on its opening Friday, competing against Taylor Swift's concert film, The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, which dominated premium theaters. Audience reception has been lukewarm, with a B- CinemaScore and mixed word-of-mouth, despite a critical consensus of 73% on Rotten Tomatoes.

A Triumph of Artistry Over Formula

What makes The Smashing Machine stand out is Safdie's refusal to follow typical sports biopic formulas. Filmed on 16mm and 70mm film with raw, documentary-style cinematography by Maceo Bishop, the movie feels closer to Raging Bull than Rocky. In his Silver Lion acceptance speech, Safdie called the film "an exercise in radical empathy," emphasizing that "if we can empathize with somebody who seems invincible, then we can empathize with anybody".

For Johnson, this marks a bold departure from franchise fare, proving he can tackle serious, vulnerable roles with the same commitment he brings to action spectacles.

© A24