Dwayne Johnson has built his career around starring in the biggest blockbusters in Hollywood. Audiences have grown accustomed to The Rock appearing in franchises like Fast & Furious and Jumanji, as well as other big-budget action films meant to have wide appeal. But after the box office returns started to drop and the critical reception didn’t pick up, it was time for a change.
That brought The Rock to leave the comfort of huge genre films and challenge himself as an actor by diving completely into a dramatic role. It’s something he’s rarely done in his career, especially once he became “Franchise Viagra” and a hot commodity at the box office. The results of the long-awaited dramatic turn speak for themselves.
Johnson’s Oscar-buzzy feature The Smashing Machine debuted at film festivals to a positive reception, with his performance in particular heralded. But, the film didn’t find its audience in theaters, leading to a brand new release that makes it available at home for the first time.
The Smashing Machine Is Now On Digital After Disappointing Theatrical Debut
A24 originally released The Smashing Machine in theaters on October 3 with the hopes that the wide release would spark plenty of awards discussions but also allow the $50 million production to turn a profit with a star like Johnson front and center.
That is not what happened. Audiences have liked the film overall, but not enough people are going to a theater to watch it. It’s only made $20 million at the box office worldwide after a month in theaters. It underwhelmed with a $5 million opening domestically when it was tracking for a $20 million debut a month before it launched (via Deadline).
The disappointing theatrical reception is why A24 released The Smashing Machine on digital today, November 4. It’s currently available on PVOD services like Amazon and Fandango. The cost is $19.99 to rent it on VOD and watch it within 48 hours. It’s $24.99 to buy it digitally and own it forever.
The digital release of The Smashing Machine comes faster than expected based on A24’s usual patterns. But, it makes sense with how the movie has performed in theaters. This new viewing option gives more people a chance to see the film in an easier format, which could help bolster the appreciation for it.
Anyone who is a fan of Dwayne Johnson or curious about what a dramatic performance from him is really like should absolutely check out The Smashing Machine. Despite the movie’s flaws, he is legitimately great in it. It’s undoubtedly the best performance of his career and is deserving of the Oscar buzz that has come his way.
There’s also a rather effective true story told about real-life fighter Mark Kerr, whom Johnson transformed physically and emotionally to bring to life. This could wind up being a turning point for The Rock’s career, as he has continued to seek out more challenging film roles after.
So, whether you’re a Johnson fan, someone wanting to keep up on potential Oscar contenders, or an UFC fan, The Smashing Machine is a recommended watch.
- Release Date
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October 3, 2025
- Runtime
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123 minutes
- Director
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Benny Safdie
- Writers
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Benny Safdie
- Producers
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Beau Flynn, David Koplan, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia
