Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is back on the big screen once again with his newly-released film ‘The Smashing Machine’, which is debuting in theatres this week. The former wrestler reunited once more with British actress Emily Blunt in the true-story drama featuring Johnson as two-time MMA champion Mark Kerr.

Blunt features as Dawn, the wife of Kerr, who has to watch her husband battle substance abuse as well as opponents during a career in the cage. Despite promising reviews at the film’s Venice premiere, the box office figures have been less than favourable, with the movie grossing just $5.9 million on its opening weekend. Opening projections were between $8 million and $15 million, with Johnson and Blunt’s previous film together, Jungle Cruise (2021), bringing in $30 million on opening. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Reacts to Box Office Numbers The figures are the worst of Johnson’s acting career to date, but he’s remaining upbeat. Johnson posted on his Instagram that “you can’t control box office results” also paying tribute to the film’s director, Benny Safdie, who he claims ‘changed his life’ with the role.

“It was my honor to transform in this role for my director, Benny Safdie. Thank you, brother, for believing in me,” Johnson stated. “Truth is this film has changed my life. With deep gratitude, respect and radical empathy, DJ.”

Hopes were high for the movie as Safdie won the award for best director at the Venice festival, but it appears that others do not share the same enthusiasm for the hard-hitting story of four-time ADCC champion Kerr, who competed between 1997 and 2009. The story of Kerr’s relationship with wife Dawn Staples forms the backbone of the story, which received a 15-minute standing ovation at the Venice International Film Festival. This led many to be confused as to why the box office figures are so low.

Dwayne Johnson’s back catalogue contains its fair share of critically-acclaimed work, with ‘The Smashing Machine’ being touted as one of his best performances. Those giving the film largely negative reviews even praised Johnson’s performance in the leading role, with the former WWE wrestler even being tipped for an Academy Award.

Signing off on his Instagram statement, Johnson remained positive while navigating his worst opening figures since starring in ‘Faster’ back in 2010, which grossed an opening $8.5 million.

“From deep in my grateful bones, thank you to everyone who has watched ‘The Smashing Machine’,” Johnson posted. “In our storytelling world, you can’t control box office results — but what I realized you can control is your performance, and your commitment to completely disappear and go elsewhere. And I will always run to that opportunity.”

Produced by A24, you can now see ‘The Smashing Machine’ at theaters nationwide.