The Smashing Machine: A24's Gritty Drama Now on VOD - Will It Find Its Audience?
After a wave of critical acclaim, Benny Safdie's The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne Johnson in a role unlike any other, unexpectedly stumbled at the box office. But now, with its release on Video on Demand (VOD), audiences have a second chance to experience this compelling story.
The Smashing Machine delves into the world of Mark Kerr, tracing his journey from the early days of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) to becoming a UFC champion. However, the film doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of Kerr's life, including his struggles with painkiller addiction and a tumultuous relationship with his girlfriend, Dawn Staples (played by Emily Blunt). These challenges take a significant toll on Kerr's physical and mental well-being, adding layers of complexity to his story.
But here's where it gets controversial... Despite the film's creative success, it only earned $20.2 million against a $40 million budget after its theatrical release on October 3.
In a rare move, Dwayne Johnson himself addressed the film's box office performance on Instagram, while still emphasizing its artistic merits.
"From deep in my grateful bones, thank you to everyone who has watched The Smashing Machine," Johnson wrote. "In our storytelling world, you can’t control box office results — but what I realized you can control is your performance, and your commitment to completely disappear and go elsewhere. And I will always run to that opportunity. It was my honor to transform in this role for my director Benny Safdie. Thank you brother for believing in me. Truth is this film has changed my life."
Our own Chris Bumbray praised the film, saying, "The Smashing Machine should prove to be a success for A24 in every way once it gets its theatrical release, as critics will respect it while Johnson’s many fans will be dying to see him in something so different from the rest of his filmography. He’s done an excellent job reinventing himself, and no one can deny The Smashing Machine was well worth the effort all involved put into it."
And this is the part most people miss...
Now that The Smashing Machine is available on VOD platforms, will you give it a watch? What do you think contributed to the film's initial box office performance? Is it the price of tickets, the convenience of watching at home, or something else entirely? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
