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Christopher Nolan Calls Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Smashing Machine’ Turn the Year’s Best as Box Office Stalls

The Oppenheimer director’s podcast praise has shifted attention from the film’s soft opening to Johnson’s awards prospects.

Overview

  • On The Director’s Cut podcast, Nolan lauded Johnson’s performance as “heartbreaking” and said, “I don’t think you’ll see a better performance this year or most other years.”
  • The A24 release opened Oct. 3 with about $5.8–$5.9 million and has reached roughly $13–$14 million worldwide against a reported $50 million budget.
  • Director Benny Safdie won Venice’s best director prize after the film’s festival premiere and the movie holds roughly a 71% critics’ score on aggregator tallies cited in coverage.
  • Johnson addressed the weak grosses on Instagram, saying box office is uncontrollable but that he committed to disappearing into the role for Safdie.
  • Coverage notes headwinds from a crowded opening that included a surprise Taylor Swift concert film and ongoing UFC interest, with the movie still playing in select theaters.