Hollywood action star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has just shared his sincere thoughts after his latest film – The Smashing Machine, produced by independent film studio A24 – had a debut that fell far short of expectations. The film only earned $6 million in its first week, the lowest number in The Rock’s illustrious career.
In The Smashing Machine, Johnson plays Mark Kerr, an MMA legend who has experienced the heights of fame and the depths of addiction, trauma and psychological crisis. This is considered a “transformative” role for him, completely different from the familiar muscular superhero image in blockbusters such as Fast & Furious or Jumanji.
However, contrary to expectations, the film failed to attract the general audience. Although critics praised Johnson’s performance as “groundbreaking” and “heartbreakingly authentic”, most audiences seemed uninterested in the tragic and heavy story.
In response to the public’s disappointment, The Rock calmly responded in a social media post:
“You can’t control the outcome. But you can be proud of the fact that you put your heart and soul into something meaningful. The Smashing Machine wasn’t a movie to make money, it was a movie that made me come alive – not just as a star, but as a human being.”
The 52-year-old actor also revealed that preparing for the role of Mark Kerr was an unprecedented challenge. He had to train intensely for months to get into the physical shape of a real MMA fighter, and also had to learn how to show his mental damage – something he called “a battle harder than any action scene.”
Johnson shared: “Mark Kerr didn’t just fight in the ring. He fought with himself, with addiction, with loneliness, and with feeling forgotten. I wanted to tell that story, because millions of people out there are fighting the same battle.”
Despite the low box office, critics said it was a brave move for The Rock. Variety’s critic wrote: “Johnson did what few action stars dare to do — abandon his invincible image to portray a vulnerable human being. He’s no longer The Rock, but a real actor.”
In a context where Hollywood is still chasing safe formulas and billion-dollar brands, Johnson’s choice to cooperate with A24 – a film studio known for its independent art style – is considered a turning point in his career. He no longer just wants to “sell tickets”, but wants to tell a story that is authentic, profound and human.
A fan commented under his post: “Dwayne Johnson just suffered the biggest failure of his career, but perhaps this is also the most beautiful victory – because he dared to do something no one expected.”
At the end of the post, The Rock wrote a sentence that touched many people:
“Art doesn’t always win at the box office. But it always wins in the hearts of those who dare to believe in it.”
Although The Smashing Machine was not a commercial success, perhaps for Dwayne Johnson, this film marked another victory – the victory of courage, of sincere art and of a man who dared to overcome his own giant shadow.
