UFC Icon Defends Dwayne Johnson After The Smashing Machine Flops at the Box Office
Few Hollywood stars have taken as daring a leap as Dwayne Johnson’s transformation into UFC legend Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine. Departing from his usual blockbuster charm, Johnson delivers a raw portrayal of addiction, redemption, and physical sacrifice.
Despite earning critical praise and early Oscar buzz, the film’s box-office performance was disappointing, a fact that even UFC veteran Bruce Buffer expressed regret over.
Bruce Buffer’s Reaction
"It was a tour de force for The Rock and Emily Blunt. They did a fantastic job with what they were given," Buffer shared on his podcast with TJ De Santis and Ray Longo. "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."
Film’s Approach and Production
Directed by Benny Safdie and produced by A24, the film strips away the polished spectacle typical of Johnson’s roles, instead presenting the bruised humanity of a man battling inner demons as fiercely as his physical opponents.
According to MMA Fighting, Johnson spent up to four hours daily in prosthetics to fully capture Kerr’s physical and emotional transformation.
Summary
This film marks a bold step for Johnson, showcasing his dramatic range despite its commercial failure, earning respect from UFC insiders and critics alike.