Christopher Nolan Calls Dwayne Johnson’s THE SMASHING MACHINE “Incredible” - “I Don’t Think You’ll See a Better Performance This Year”

Dwayne Johnson’s latest film, The Smashing Machine, might not be smashing the box office, but it’s winning over one of Hollywood’s greatest filmmakers. Christopher Nolan, the visionary behind Oppenheimer and The Dark Knight, has praised Johnson’s performance as one of the year’s very best.

Speaking with Benny Safdie on the Directors Guild of America’s podcast The Director’s Cut, Nolan shared his admiration for Johnson’s transformation into real-life MMA fighter Mark Kerr, saying:

“It’s heartbreaking. I think it’s an incredible performance. I don’t think you’ll see a better performance this year.”

That’s massive praise from the director known for pulling powerhouse performances from his own casts.

The Smashing Machine tells the story of two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion Mark Kerr, whose rise to fame in the MMA world was shadowed by addiction, strained relationships, and the pressures of success.

Written and directed by Benny Safdie, one half of the acclaimed Uncut Gems duo, the film also stars Emily Blunt as Kerr’s girlfriend, Dawn.

Despite strong critical response and a solid 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has struggled to find an audience in theaters. The Smashing Machine has earned just $13.8 million worldwide against its $50 million budget. Its opening weekend brought in only $5.9 million, the lowest of Johnson’s career.

It’s a surprising outcome, especially when compared to A24’s previous sports biopic The Iron Claw, which became a financial and critical hit. But with Nolan’s glowing endorsement now making the rounds, the film could see a resurgence as more moviegoers discover what many critics have already praised as Johnson’s most raw and emotional performance to date.

The Smashing Machine is currently playing in select theaters.