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58m ago

‘The Smashing Machine’ Opens to $6 Million, Johnson’s Weakest Debut as Leading Man

The A24 biopic’s soft start reflects tepid word of mouth despite strong notices for Dwayne Johnson’s dramatic turn.

Dwayne Johnson transforms in the Mark Kerr in "The Smashing Machine."
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Overview

  • Domestic weekend grosses are estimated at roughly $6 million, well below earlier projections reported as high as $20 million.
  • Industry trackers note the film trailed Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl and One Battle After Another in weekend rankings.
  • Audience response was mixed with a B- CinemaScore, while critics were generally favorable at about 73% on Rotten Tomatoes.
  • The production was reported to cost around $50 million, making it one of A24’s pricier prestige releases this year.
  • At the Los Angeles premiere, Johnson emphasized the film as a “life movie” centered on Mark Kerr’s struggles, as A24 backed the release with a high-profile campaign including a New York City pop-up arcade event.