UFC Icon Defends Dwayne Johnson After The Smashing Machine Box Office Flop
Dwayne Johnson took a bold risk in portraying UFC legend Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine. Known for his blockbuster charisma, Johnson shifted to a raw and intense role showcasing addiction, redemption, and physical sacrifice.
Despite critical acclaim and early Oscar buzz, the film underperformed commercially, leaving even UFC veteran Bruce Buffer disappointed. On his podcast with TJ De Santis and Ray Longo, Buffer praised Johnson and the cast but expressed concern over the movie's financial results.
"It was a tour de force for The Rock and Emily Blunt. They did a fantastic job with what they were given," Buffer said. "For the benefit of Mark Kerr, I was hoping it'd be a huge hit because I'd hope Mark had a piece of the action."
Directed by Benny Safdie and produced by A24, the film diverged from Johnson’s usual polished spectacle, focusing instead on the harsh realities of a man battling inner demons as fiercely as his opponents.
According to MMA Fighting, Johnson dedicated up to four hours daily in prosthetics to fully capture Kerr’s physical and emotional transformation both inside and outside the cage.
Summary
Dwayne Johnson’s deeply committed turn as Mark Kerr earned praise despite the film’s poor box office, highlighting the challenges of portraying raw human struggle over blockbuster appeal.