Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has finally spoken out after suffering the worst box office opening of his career. His A24 drama The Smashing Machine — which opened to just $5.9 million domestically — marked a new box office low for one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars.
But, to his credit, rather than lash out or deflect blame, Johnson took to Instagram with a message of humility and gratitude.
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“From deep in my grateful bones, thank you to everyone who has watched The Smashing Machine,” Johnson wrote. “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.”
The Rock Beat up in The Smashing Machine – YouTube, A24
He went on to personally thank director Benny Safdie, calling him a transformative creative partner.
“It was my honor to transform in this role for my director, Benny Safdie,” he said. “Thank you brother for believing in me. Truth is this film has changed my life. With deep gratitude, respect and radical empathy, DJ.”
A Career Low — But a Personal Triumph?
According to Variety, The Smashing Machine “cratered in third place at the box office with $5.9 million from 3,345 venues.” The film fell short of projections ranging from $8 million to $15 million and marked Johnson’s lowest debut ever, below 2010’s Faster ($8.5 million).
A24 reportedly spent $50 million producing the film and “many millions more” on its global promotional campaign, which included high-profile screenings at both the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals.
The Rock with his hand raised in victory in The Smashing Machine – YouTube, A24
Despite the poor financial showing, The Smashing Machine earned strong critical praise during its festival run. Safdie even won the Best Director prize at Venice, and early Oscar buzz continues to surround Johnson’s performance (which may have been the entire point of the movie).
Between Gratitude and Reality
Johnson’s tone on Instagram was notably reflective — but it also fits a familiar Hollywood pattern. When an “Oscar bait movie” bombs, the conversation always pivots from box office to “artistic growth.” The Smashing Machine is simply the latest example of that tradition.
Every year, studios pour tens of millions into prestige projects that play well at festivals, collect standing ovations, and collapse once they hit real theaters. In that world, profitability stops mattering — what counts is how seriously the industry takes you at award time.
The Rock in The Smashing Machine – YouTube, A24
That’s the space Johnson is now trying to occupy. His Instagram post isn’t just about gratitude; it’s about repositioning the failure as a badge of artistic legitimacy. By praising Benny Safdie and talking about “transformation,” Johnson is effectively saying, “It doesn’t matter what audiences think — this was for the critics.”
But audiences already gave their verdict and audiences are the ultimate judge. The Smashing Machine wasn’t just a box office flop — it was a rejection of The Rock’s attempt to trade in his blockbuster charisma for somber prestige. Viewers aren’t lining up to see him cry in the mirror; they want to see him break down walls, not have emotional breakthroughs.
Hollywood may still hand him a nomination for effort, but fans sent the message loud and clear: they don’t want Dwayne Johnson, the Oscar hopeful. They want The Rock. And judging by Black Adam, his last major blockbuster attempt, they might not even want that.
A24’s Costly Risk
The fallout also lands heavily on A24. The indie studio, known for breakout hits like Everything Everywhere All at Once and The Whale, gambled big on The Smashing Machine’s $50 million budget — a figure far higher than its typical slate.
The Rock looking distraught in The Smashing Machine – YouTube, A24
With marketing and distribution costs included, analysts estimate the movie would need around $150 million worldwide to break even, an increasingly unrealistic number given its current trajectory.
A Lesson in Limits
If there’s a takeaway from Johnson’s response, it’s that even the most charismatic performers can’t outmuscle market reality. Fans who’ve spent years watching him save the world in blockbusters like Jumanji and Fast & Furious didn’t show up to watch him spiral through addiction and loss — no matter how compelling the acting.
And yet, The Rock seems content to take the bruises. In his own words, he’s focused on “performance and commitment,” not receipts.
The Rock laying on the mat in The Smashing Machine – YouTube, A24
Whether that philosophy will carry him through awards season — or through Hollywood’s unforgiving financial math — remains to be seen.
But one thing’s clear: The Smashing Machine may have bombed, but Dwayne Johnson isn’t tapping out.
Does The Smashing Machine have a prayer at turning a box office profit? Will The Rock get an Oscar nomination? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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It is a long standing truth in showbiz that when you get “who” you are with audiences or, with those like Shatner for one example, you “get the joke about yourself” you learn to give the people what they want and win. I haven’t seen this movie and it isn’t my kind of thing, but my brother and his wife loved it so….go figure. All I do know is that if opening weekend audiences went expecting THEIR concept of what a “Rock” movie was and found this not to be that, the word of mouth to friends and folks were instant poison, especially in this atmosphere of people doubting Hollywood, its “brands” like, for example, Marvel etc. etc., and people having more choices of how to spend leisure time and less willingness to experiment or risk.
“Oscar Nominee” plays almost as well as “Oscar Winner.” He is so flexible in beliefs that it is hard to see a near future Hollywood without him.
I think he privately regrets leaning into The Rock persona so heavily, especially at times like this when he wants to be taken as a serious player, but I doubt he would have grown his fanbase as large if he hadn’t. As much as he wants it, Dwayne Johnson isn’t a draw and his movies flop. His best character will always be The Rock, so just be The Rock.
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