By Dwayne Johnson’s The Smashing Machine ranked as the third highest-earning film last weekend, but that’s not particularly positive news. The sports drama helmed by Benny Safdie earned merely $6 million during its opening weekend, which now feels significantly far from the alleged $50 million A24 invested in its production (via Variety).
These disappointing box office figures come with an uninviting milestone for The Rock – it’s the lowest-grossing film of his entire profession.
Although it fell short with audiences, The Smashing Machine has achieved accolades from critics since its debut at the Venice Film Festival, where Safdie secured the Silver Lion for his directorial efforts. The biopic boasts a 73% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes from over 200 critiques, with many commending Johnson’s portrayal and anticipations of an Oscar nomination for him next year.
The film features Johnson as MMA fighter Mark Kerr, and delves into the aftermath of the fighter’s defeat and the mental effects of such a setback. Emily Blunt portrays Kerr’s spouse, Dawn Staples.
In other box office news, Taylor Swift once again demonstrated that she is a powerful presence in any domain. Her “cinematic experience” entitled The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, a supplementary project for her new album, secured the second position with $33 million in the US, and $46 million internationally. While not the record-shattering figures of The Eras Tour, it remains an impressive outcome for the artist.
The Smashing Machine also contended (and succumbed) against One Battle After Another, which maintained its strength in its second weekend at the box office. It has officially become the highest-grossing film in filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson’s oeuvre, surpassing There Will Be Blood.
The Smashing Machine is currently showing in theaters. For additional information, check out our compilation of the most thrilling upcoming movies headed your way for the remainder of the year.