(NewsNation) — Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is reflecting on the low box office results of his new movie “The Smashing Machine.”
The actor took to social media on Monday, thanking fans for seeing the film, which is generating award buzz.
“From deep in my grateful bones, thank you to everyone who has watched ‘The Smashing Machine,’” he wrote on Instagram. “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.”
A24’s “The Smashing Machine” opened with $5.9 million at the weekend box office, the lowest opening of the former WWE superstar’s career.
In the film, Johnson plays former MMA fighter Mark Kerr. Johnson said the movie was a passion project for him.
TORONTO, ONTARIO – SEPTEMBER 08: (L-R) Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, and Benny Safdie attend the premiere of “The Smashing Machine” during the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival at Princess of Wales Theatre on September 08, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images) 
Dwayne Johnson, left, and Emily Blunt pose for photographers at the photo call for the film ‘The Smashing Machine’ during the 82nd edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP) 
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 06: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is introduced during a tag team match with Roman Reigns against Cody Rhodes and Seth “Freakin” Rollins during Night One of WrestleMania 40 at Lincoln Financial Field on April 06, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
“It was my honor to transform in this role for my director Benny Safdie @bowedtie. Thank you brother for believing in me,” he wrote. “Truth is this film has changed my life. With deep gratitude, respect and radical empathy.”
Taylor Swift declares box office victory
Weeks before the A24 release, “The Smashing Machine” was projected to open in the high teens to $20 million range, according to Deadline.
However, the surprise announcement of “Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party for a Showgirl” took the sails out of Johnson’s latest film.
Taylor Swift’s latest box office venture, in support of her 12th studio album “The Life of a Showgirl,” earned $34 million at the box office.
Unfortunately for Johnson, “The Smashing Machine” is estimated to lose between $10 million to $15 million, Deadline reported.
The film cost around $50 million to make.