The Reception of Dwayne Johnson’s Latest Film: The Smashing Machine
Despite high expectations, Dwayne Johnson’s latest film, The Smashing Machine, had a disappointing debut at the box office. The movie, which was considered one of the actor’s most serious projects, only grossed about 5.9 million dollars during its opening weekend in the United States. This figure falls far below the usual box office numbers associated with The Rock’s name.
A Darker Tone
In The Smashing Machine, Johnson portrays Mark Kerr, an MMA fighter struggling with drug addiction and a complicated relationship with his girlfriend, Dawn Staples, played by Emily Blunt. Directed by Benny Safdie, known for his work on Uncut Gems, the film takes on a darker tone than what audiences are accustomed to seeing from the actor.
Despite its lackluster performance at the box office, The Smashing Machine did receive recognition at film festivals. The movie received a standing ovation for approximately 15 minutes at the Venice Film Festival and Safdie was awarded Best Director. However, commercial interest in the film seems to have fallen short of expectations.
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