UFC Icon Defends Dwayne Johnson After The Smashing Machine Flops
Few Hollywood stars have taken such a bold leap as Dwayne Johnson's transformation into UFC legend Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine. Johnson set aside his usual blockbuster charm to deliver a raw and compelling portrayal of addiction, redemption, and physical sacrifice.
Despite critical praise and early whispers of an Oscar nod, the film struggled at the box office, leaving UFC veteran Bruce Buffer disappointed.
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 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."
Buffer shared his admiration for Johnson's performance and concern over the movie’s commercial failure during his podcast with TJ De Santis and Ray Longo.
Film's Approach and Production
Directed by Benny Safdie and produced by A24, The Smashing Machine forgoes the polished spectacle typical of Johnson's films. Instead, it highlights the raw humanity of a man battling not only opponents but his own inner struggles.
According to MMA Fighting, Johnson dedicated up to four hours daily in prosthetics to fully capture Kerr’s physical transformation inside and outside the cage.
Summary
This film marks a daring shift for Johnson, emphasizing emotional depth over blockbuster appeal, though commercial success did not follow.
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