The Rock's Rocky Week: The Smashing Machine Struggles to Hit Box Office Gold
Dwayne The Rock Johnson, a figure usually associated with box office supremacy, is facing an unexpected stagnation.
Rock's latest release, The Smashing Machine, opened with lower-than-expected ticket sales in the US, indicating it was one of his most disappointing debuts in recent times.
A Bold Move That Surprised Everyone
Dwayne's films are usually categorized as typical action films, but The Smashing Machine surprised viewers with its bold biographical drama.
Johnson's role is based on a real-life MMA legend whose life was marked by personal disturbance and painkiller addiction.
The movie presented the acting side of The Rock, which was never seen as raw, emotional, and sensitive.
In the past, critics were not fond of his movies, but this time, critics rated his performance as one of his most powerful to date.
Yet, the slow screenplay storytelling and darker tone have made mainstream audiences less attracted to this movie.
Fans Reaction
Social media is full of praise for the performance by The Rock. Fans have campaigned on X (formerly Twitter) with hashtags like #SmashingMachine and #SupportTheRock.
Fans also praised his acting range, saying it proves Dwayne to be a versatile actor. Fan name Emma has posted that "he gave everything to this role. Hollywood just isn't ready to see The Rock cry, but it's his best work yet".
Risky Gamble in a Tough Box Office Season
Although everybody acknowledged Johnson's acting, the timing of the release may have worked against it, too.
Competition from budget releases and early Oscar contenders such as Joker: Folie à Deux and Gladiator II gave stiff competition to his movie.
Film Industry analysts noted that audiences' preference towards streaming platforms and established franchises has made adult dramas struggle.
People close to Johnson's say a decent start won't shake his confidence. The Rock has always balanced crowd-pleasing projects with personal ones, and this was deeply personal.
What's Next for Dwayne Johnson?
While The Smashing Machine failed to break box office records, it earned lifelong respect as one of The Rock's most daring performances.
He is also rumored for a return to the WWE, where he started his early days of his career and achieved super stardom. He also has major projects lined up, including Red Notice 2.
In his own words, "Setbacks are just for setups for comebacks".
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