The Rock stumbles at the box office with The Smashing Machine but wins over the critics

The Smashing Machine, the biopic about the legendary MMA fighter Mark Kerr starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, has only grossed 6 million dollars in its opening weekend. The film, which had an estimated budget of 50 million, debuted in third place at the North American box office.

The film was behind Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, which led with over 33 million, and One Battle After Another, which raised 11 million. According to Variety, this is the worst opening in The Rock's career, even below his 2010 thriller Faster, which grossed 8.5 million without adjusting for inflation.

"The audience couldn't smell what The Rock was cooking," wrote Rebecca Rubin for Variety. "The film plummeted to third place with 6 million dollars, well below the forecasts ranging from 8 to 15 million."

Despite the weak commercial performance, the film has received good reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 74% approval rating among critics (based on 223 reviews) and a 78% from the audience with over 250 ratings. Johnson's portrayal of Kerr has been particularly praised for its intensity and vulnerability. In fact, it has been mentioned that, for the first time, The Rock could be nominated for an Oscar in the Best Actor category.

The Smashing Machine tells the early years of Mark Kerr in the world of mixed martial arts, showing his rise, personal struggles, and impact on the sport's development. The project has been considered one of Johnson's riskiest in his career due to its realistic tone and departure from conventional action cinema.