Dwayne Johnson expressed gratitude on Instagram following the low box office opening of "The Smashing Machine." The film, which earned $5.9 million, was overshadowed by "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" and "One Battle After Another." Despite the disappointing debut, Johnson praised director Benny Safdie and reflected on his transformative performance. The movie, despite critical acclaim and an award buzz, received a B- CinemaScore from audiences, leading to expected financial losses for A24, who still plan to campaign for awards.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.