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

Christopher Nolan is showing some big love for Dwayne Johnson’s new movie The Smashing Machine, even though the film hasn’t done well at the box office.

The Oscar-winning director recently joined The Director’s Cut podcast to talk with filmmaker Benny Safdie, who directed the movie. During their chat, Nolan couldn’t stop praising Johnson’s performance as MMA fighter Mark Kerr, calling it “heartbreaking.”

“I think it’s an incredible performance,” Nolan said. “I don’t think you’ll see a better performance this year or most other years.”

Nolan and Safdie already have a connection since Nolan directed him in Oppenheimer. That movie also starred Emily Blunt, who happens to play Kerr’s wife, Dawn Staples, in The Smashing Machine. Safdie met Blunt while working on Oppenheimer.

Nolan joked about how Safdie may have been multitasking on his film set. “I heard a rumor that when you were supposed to be learning your lines on my set, you were actually canvassing people to be in your movie,” Nolan said with a laugh. “I wasn’t aware of that at the time, but it seems to have worked out great for you.”

Then he turned serious, adding, “Congratulations on the movie. It’s a really remarkable and radical piece of work that will be understood more and more over time. I’m very proud to know you.”

In The Smashing Machine, Johnson takes on the role of Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC heavyweight champion. The story follows Kerr’s tough battles both inside and outside the ring, from his victories to his struggles with addiction and a rocky relationship with his wife, played by Blunt.

The film made a strong impression at the Venice Film Festival, where Safdie won the Best Director award. However, things didn’t go as well when it hit theaters. The movie only earned about $5.9 million in its opening weekend, which is a career low for Johnson. So far, it has made around $10 million domestically against a $50 million budget.

After the movie’s slow start, Johnson shared a heartfelt message about the experience. “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,” he said. “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. With deep gratitude, respect and radical empathy, DJ.”

Despite the film’s poor earnings, Nolan’s praise could give Johnson’s Oscar campaign a much-needed boost.

The admiration from one of Hollywood’s most respected directors might help people take another look at Johnson’s performance, and maybe see The Smashing Machine in a whole new light.

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