Christopher Nolan Gives Major Praise for Dwayne Johnson’s Latest Box Office Flop

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Despite disappointing box office numbers, Christopher Nolan has publicly praised Dwayne Johnson’s new film, *The Smashing Machine*.

Christopher Nolan, the director who won an Oscar, recently appeared on the podcast *The Director’s Cut* to speak with filmmaker Benny Safdie. During the conversation, Nolan repeatedly complimented actor Tom Hardy’s performance as MMA fighter Mark Kerr, describing it as deeply moving and emotionally powerful.

Nolan praised the performance as “incredible,” adding that he doubted anyone would deliver a better one all year, or even in many years to come.

Nolan and Safdie previously worked together on *Oppenheimer*, and that’s how Safdie met Emily Blunt, who also appears in *The Smashing Machine*. Blunt plays the wife of the main character, Dawn Staples, in the new film.

Nolan playfully suggested that Josh and Benny Safdie might have been working on their own movie even while on his set. He recounted a story, joking, “I heard you were actually using your time on my set to find people to be in your film!” He added with a laugh that he hadn’t realized it at the time, but it clearly worked out well for them.

He got really thoughtful and told me how much he loved the film. He said it was truly special and different, and that he thought people would appreciate it more and more as time went on. Honestly, it meant a lot to me that he was so proud to know me.

In *The Smashing Machine*, Johnson portrays Mark Kerr, a former UFC heavyweight champion. The film depicts Kerr’s challenging life, showcasing his successes in the ring alongside his personal battles with addiction and a difficult marriage, with Emily Blunt playing his wife.

We’re thrilled to release the official trailer for Benny Safdie’s new film, THE SMASHING MACHINE, featuring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt (an Academy Award nominee). The movie hits theaters on October 3rd.

— UFC (@ufc) April 29, 2025

The film was a hit with critics at the Venice Film Festival, earning Safdie the Best Director prize. Unfortunately, it didn’t perform as well in cinemas. It opened with just $5.9 million, which is the lowest opening weekend of Johnson’s career. To date, the film has earned around $10 million in the US, despite costing $50 million to make.

Following the film’s initial slow performance, Johnson shared a personal message about his experience working on it. He explained that while you can’t predict how a movie will do in theaters, you *can* control your own dedication and how fully you immerse yourself in the role. He expressed his gratitude to director Benny Safdie for the opportunity, calling it an honor to transform for the part and thanking Safdie for his belief in him. Johnson concluded by saying the film had been a life-changing experience, signing the message simply as “DJ” with deep gratitude, respect, and empathy.

Even though the movie didn’t make much money, Christopher Nolan speaking highly of it could really help Dwayne Johnson’s efforts to win an Oscar.

Praise from a well-known Hollywood director could encourage viewers to re-evaluate Johnson’s acting and appreciate the film *The Smashing Machine* with fresh eyes.

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2025-10-15 21:56