Dwayne Johnson’s latest sports drama, The Smashing Machine, opened to a disappointing $6 million in its first weekend, marking the lowest opening of the actor’s career. The film released in 3,345 theatres last Friday but struggled to draw audiences, facing stiff competition from Taylor Swift’s concert film, Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, which raked in $33 million over the same period.
The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie and starring Emily Blunt alongside Johnson, tells the story of MMA fighter Mark Kerr, inspired by the 2002 documentary of the same name. The film explores Kerr’s professional triumphs, personal struggles with substance abuse, and his relationship with his then-girlfriend, played by Blunt.
The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival to critical acclaim with Safdie winning the Best Director award, had been projected to make $20 million in its opening weekend. However, the unexpected release and popularity of Swift’s concert film significantly affected its box office performance. Leonardo DiCaprio’s One Battle After Another came in second with $10.3 million in its second weekend.
With a production budget of $50 million plus promotional expenses, The Smashing Machine now faces an uphill battle to recoup costs. Industry analysts suggest that the R-rated sports drama may see limited recovery unless strong word-of-mouth boosts attendance in the coming weeks.
Despite the slow start, Johnson and Safdie remain optimistic about the film’s reception, citing critical praise and the film’s festival accolades as signs of its long-term potential.
