Dwayne Johnson's Powerful Performance in 'The Smashing Machine' Earns Praise

In a recent development, the new film 'The Smashing Machine,' directed by Benny Safdie and distributed by A24, has hit theaters. The movie, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival over the summer to a rousing response, focuses on the life of UFC Hall of Famer Mark Kerr, portrayed by Dwayne Johnson.

The film explores Kerr's fighting career and his ongoing battle with opioid addiction. Despite the critical acclaim, the movie has struggled at the box office, earning just $6 million in its opening weekend—the lowest debut of Johnson's career. However, the star has expressed his deep appreciation for the project, stating that while he cannot control box office results, he can control his performance and commitment to the role.

In his review, critic Jordan Mintzer praised Johnson's performance, noting that he "manages to go deep here without overdoing it, killing the audience with kindness as a benign warrior who suffers from one scene to the next, triumphing briefly in the ring before succumbing to addiction and/or romantic grief." Kerr himself has also commended Johnson's ability to connect with everyone he meets, describing the actor as "completely, completely giving himself to you in the conversation he's having with you, which is just amazing."

Despite the muted commercial response, the film continues to generate awards season buzz, with both Johnson and his co-star Emily Blunt remaining in the mix as Oscar contenders for their performances.