UFC Icon Defends Dwayne Johnson After The Smashing Machine's Box Office Disappointment
Few Hollywood stars have taken a risk as bold as Dwayne Johnson's portrayal of UFC legend Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine. Departing from his usual blockbuster roles, Johnson delivered a raw performance depicting addiction, redemption, and physical sacrifice.
Bruce Buffer's Reaction
UFC commentator Bruce Buffer expressed both admiration for Johnson’s work and disappointment over the film's lackluster box office results. On his podcast with TJ De Santis and Ray Longo, Buffer remarked:
"It was a tour de force for The Rock and Emily Blunt. They did a fantastic job with what they were given. 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 Production and Portrayal
Directed by Benny Safdie and produced by A24, the film shunned the usual polished spectacle of Johnson's movies, focusing instead on the gritty reality of a man battling both internal struggles and physical opponents.
According to MMA Fighting, Johnson committed fully to the role, spending up to four hours daily in prosthetics to authentically portray Kerr's transformation in and out of the cage.
Summary
The Smashing Machine showcases Johnson’s dedication to a deeply human role, despite its commercial underperformance, earning critical praise and early Oscar speculation.
"Johnson traded his trademark blockbuster charisma for an unflinching portrayal of addiction, redemption, and physical sacrifice."
Author's Note
Dwayne Johnson’s fearless shift to a gritty, dramatic role in The Smashing Machine highlights his versatility, though commercial success did not follow.