Introduction to The Smashing Machine
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has taken a philosophical approach to his latest film, which has performed below average at the box office. The Smashing Machine, a sports drama about MMA legend Mark Kerr, earned only $5.9 million at the US box office, making it the lowest opening for one of Johnson’s films. Johnson’s successes include the Fast & Furious franchise and Jumanji films.
Johnson’s Reaction to the Box Office Results
Johnson has classified the results as a creative success, despite being a financial disappointment. Writing on Instagram, he stated, "In our world of storytelling, you can’t control the cash results, but what you can control is your performance and commitment to completely disappear and go somewhere else." He expressed his gratitude to his director, Benny Safdie, and said that the film has changed his life.
The Film’s Production and Reception
The Smashing Machine was developed from a documentary about Kerr from 2002 with the same title. The film follows Kerr’s story, a fighter who dominated the early, unregulated days of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in the 1990s. Johnson, a former wrestler, saw parallels to his own career in the documentary and appreciated the idea of dramatizing it for several years. The film was premiered at the Venice Film Festival and received enthusiastic reviews, with the Hollywood Reporter describing Johnson’s performance as "an intoxicating mix of blood, sweat, tears, protein, and total helplessness."
Box Office Performance
Despite the positive reviews, the film did not perform well at the box office. Variety reported that the film cost $50 million to produce and had a marketing budget of much more, with early estimates forecasting a healthy opening weekend of around $20 million. However, the film only made $5.9 million in its opening weekend, making it a disappointing debut. The film also did not perform well in the British charts, making only £863,078, less than the Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, which has been in cinemas for a month.
Audience Response
The US audience persecutor suggested that 70% of the ticket buyers were male and 64% between 18 and 36 years, the traditional audience for Johnson’s action films. However, only 8% were over 55 years, an important demography for Arthouse publications. Those who visited the film were apparently disappointed with the lack of action scenes, with the audience giving a lukewarm B grade in exit surveys.
Johnson’s Attempt to Manage Expectations
Johnson tried to alleviate these expectations in advance of the publication, stating, "It’s not a combat film, it’s a life film." He explained that the film represents Mark Kerr’s life, which is about dealing with pressure and loss, rather than just being a fighter. Despite the disappointment of the box office, Johnson and his co-star Emily Blunt are still in the mix for Oscar nominations next year.
Conclusion
The Smashing Machine may not have performed well at the box office, but it has received positive reviews and has been a creative success for Johnson. The film’s unique story and Johnson’s performance have made it a notable film, despite its lack of commercial success. Johnson’s philosophical approach to the film’s performance is a testament to his dedication to his craft and his willingness to take risks in his career.
