Christopher Nolan Thinks Dwayne Johnson Gives the Best Performance of the Year in Underseen MMA Drama

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Christopher Nolan recently shared his pick for the best acting performance he’s seen this year, and it’s an unexpected choice. Dwayne Johnson is earning rave reviews for his role in the sports drama *The Smashing Machine*, and now he’s received high praise from one of today’s most acclaimed directors.

On the *Director’s Cut* podcast, Christopher Nolan highly praised actor Benny Safdie’s performance in the MMA biopic *The Smashing Machine*. Nolan stated he believes it’s one of the best performances of the year, and possibly many years to come – a strong statement considering his recent film *Oppenheimer*’s lead actor won an Oscar. Despite a challenging box office run, *The Smashing Machine* has consistently received positive reviews, largely due to Safdie’s work.

Although opinions on the movie itself are somewhat divided, most critics agree that Johnson delivers the best performance of his career. Emily Blunt, who plays his wife in the film, has also received high praise for her powerful and moving portrayal of a true story. *The Smashing Machine* recounts the life of a pioneering figure in the early days of mixed martial arts, someone who helped lay the groundwork for what is now known as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Director Nolan commended Safdie, describing his work on the film as both ‘remarkable’ and ‘radical’.

I loved the movie! It’s truly original and impactful, and I think its importance will become even clearer as time goes on. I’m so proud of you.

‘The Smashing Machine’ Struggles at Box Office


A24

Dwayne Johnson’s latest film, *The Smashing Machine*, is performing significantly below expectations at the box office. With earnings of just $13.8 million so far, it’s on track to be his lowest-grossing film to date, despite a $50 million budget – a substantial investment for A24. While the film received a respectable 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, its disappointing box office numbers are surprising given the generally positive critical reception.

Dwayne Johnson, known for celebrating his successful movies, recently shared a sincere message about the disappointing performance of *The Smashing Machine*. Despite the film not meeting expectations, Johnson emphasized that he still considers playing Mark Kerr and collaborating with director Benny Safdie an incredible experience.

Wow, I’m still processing everything after working on ‘The Smashing Machine.’ You quickly learn in this business that you can’t predict how a movie will *do* at the box office, but what you *can* control is how fully you commit to the role. And honestly, disappearing into a character like this is exactly what I live for. It was a real honor to transform under the direction of Benny Safdie – he’s a true believer, and I’m so grateful for his trust. This film wasn’t just a job; it genuinely changed my life, and I approach it with immense gratitude, respect, and a lot of empathy.

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2025-10-15 19:59