The Tom Cruise eco-satire "Digger," a movie that was supposed to herald the action hero's return to serious acting, has bombed at the box office, with industry insiders predicting it could lose a quarter of a billion dollars.&nbsp;The Alejandro Inarritu comedy, featuring Cruise as an eccentric oil baron who must fix the problem he has helped create, was panned by critics and has left audiences cold, leaving studio Warner Bros. with a big balance sheet hole just as a merger with Paramount Skydance closes.&nbsp;After two weeks in theaters, the film has grossed just $14.4 million in North America and $35.3 million globally -- tiny numbers for a big-budget movie that points to cumulative losses in the region of $245 million.&nbsp;"Financially it has to be considered a disaster," Christopher Rosen of Hollywood trade publication The Ankler told AFP. "It cost anywhere from $160 million to $180 million -- that's even before marketing -- and it's made relatively nothing at the box office."&nbsp;Marketing for a movie like "Digger" can cost up to $100 million.&nbsp;Daniel Loria of Boxoffice Pro noted that the film was greenlit under the tenure of outgoing Warner Bros. executives Pam Abdy and Michael De Luca, who made a name for themselves by giving filmmakers the resources and studio budgets to create original, innovative movies.&nbsp;"Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't," he said.&nbsp;As an art-house film that satirizes American culture through the lens of a non-American like Inarritu, "Digger" was perhaps destined to be a heavy lift.&nbsp;"This movie was never going to get a general audience to get behind it, right? I don't think it was ever designed like that," said Loria.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/alejandro-i-rritu-s-digger-movie-review-tom-cruise-strips-away-the-hero-persona-in-a-complex-climate-satire-1790933864315">Alejandro Iñárritu’s Digger movie review: Tom Cruise strips away the hero persona in a complex climate satire</a>&nbsp;"The film takes every opportunity to push the audience in uncomfortable directions."American audiences don't have the easiest time accepting films that criticize American culture, especially when they're made by foreigners."<h2>A potential mismatch&nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;The presence of Cruise -- a man sometimes credited with rescuing the box office after its pandemic slump with "Top Gun: Maverick" &nbsp;-- was always going to make the film stand out. "You've got arguably the biggest movie star in the world (who) was literally everywhere for this movie," said Paul Dergarabedian, a market analyst at Rentrak.&nbsp;"He was so excited about this movie and working with Alejandro Inarritu."By virtue of Tom Cruise's star power, there was a spotlight on this movie. Anything he does is going to be under a microscope."&nbsp;The size of Cruise's star in the movie firmament makes the comparison even less flattering: "Digger" was never going to be in the same ballpark as the multi-billion dollar "Mission: Impossible" franchise.&nbsp;But the film's box office does align with the kind of film that Inarritu makes, said Loria.His movies "aren't really too worried about their box office total; they're worried about having an artistic endeavor behind" them.&nbsp;That makes "Digger" something of a mismatch, said Loria.&nbsp;"Unfortunately, I think this was marketed as a general audience movie, when at heart, this is an art-house film."

Tom Cruise starrer Digger was supposed to mark the action hero's comeback to serious acting. However, the comedy got mostly negative reviews and has bombed at the box office. 

The Tom Cruise eco-satire "Digger," a movie that was supposed to herald the action hero's return to serious acting, has bombed at the box office, with industry insiders predicting it could lose a quarter of a billion dollars. The Alejandro Inarritu comedy, featuring Cruise as an eccentric oil baron who must fix the problem he has helped create, was panned by critics and has left audiences cold, leaving studio Warner Bros. with a big balance sheet hole just as a merger with Paramount Skydance closes. After two weeks in theaters, the film has grossed just $14.4 million in North America and $35.3 million globally -- tiny numbers for a big-budget movie that points to cumulative losses in the region of $245 million. "Financially it has to be considered a disaster," Christopher Rosen of Hollywood trade publication The Ankler told AFP. "It cost anywhere from $160 million to $180 million -- that's even before marketing -- and it's made relatively nothing at the box office." Marketing for a movie like "Digger" can cost up to $100 million. Daniel Loria of Boxoffice Pro noted that the film was greenlit under the tenure of outgoing Warner Bros. executives Pam Abdy and Michael De Luca, who made a name for themselves by giving filmmakers the resources and studio budgets to create original, innovative movies. "Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't," he said. As an art-house film that satirizes American culture through the lens of a non-American like Inarritu, "Digger" was perhaps destined to be a heavy lift. "This movie was never going to get a general audience to get behind it, right? I don't think it was ever designed like that," said Loria. Also read: Alejandro Iñárritu’s Digger movie review: Tom Cruise strips away the hero persona in a complex climate satire "The film takes every opportunity to push the audience in uncomfortable directions. "American audiences don't have the easiest time accepting films that criticize American culture, especially when they're made by foreigners." A potential mismatch The presence of Cruise -- a man sometimes credited with rescuing the box office after its pandemic slump with "Top Gun: Maverick" -- was always going to make the film stand out. "You've got arguably the biggest movie star in the world (who) was literally everywhere for this movie," said Paul Dergarabedian, a market analyst at Rentrak. "He was so excited about this movie and working with Alejandro Inarritu. "By virtue of Tom Cruise's star power, there was a spotlight on this movie. Anything he does is going to be under a microscope." The size of Cruise's star in the movie firmament makes the comparison even less flattering: "Digger" was never going to be in the same ballpark as the multi-billion dollar "Mission: Impossible" franchise. But the film's box office does align with the kind of film that Inarritu makes, said Loria. His movies "aren't really too worried about their box office total; they're worried about having an artistic endeavor behind" them. That makes "Digger" something of a mismatch, said Loria. "Unfortunately, I think this was marketed as a general audience movie, when at heart, this is an art-house film."

Tom Cruise starrer Digger was supposed to mark the action hero's comeback to serious acting. However, the comedy got mostly negative reviews and has bombed at the box office.&nbsp;

Tom Cruise's 'Digger' tanks, leaving studio with $250 mn hole

The bookish thriller "Verity" cleaned up in its North American box office debut this weekend, while Tom Cruise flopped in "Digger", playing a rich old guy who thinks he can save the world. "Verity", an MGM film starring Dakota Johnson, Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnett, took in $32.6 million in its first weekend, industry monitor Exhibitor Relations said.&nbsp;Adapted from a novel by Colleen Hoover, the story of a struggling writer hired to help a famous author finish her book scored an excellent opening for an original psychological thriller, said veteran industry watcher David A. Gross of FranchiseRe Movies.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/verity-movie-review-strong-performances-from-anne-hathaway-dakota-johnson-and-josh-hartnett-couldn-t-save-this-underwhelming-thriller-1790905248504">Verity movie review: Strong performances from Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett couldn't save this underwhelming thriller</a>&nbsp;"The weekend figure is well above average for the genre, in spite of weak reviews and audience ratings," he wrote. "The reception is not hurting the film — audiences are showing up in big numbers."Holding on to second place was Sony's "Resident Evil", with $12.5 million this weekend, bringing its North American total to $125 million after three weekends in theatres.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/alejandro-i-rritu-s-digger-movie-review-tom-cruise-strips-away-the-hero-persona-in-a-complex-climate-satire-1790933864315/amp">Alejandro Iñárritu’s Digger movie review: Tom Cruise strips away the hero persona in a complex climate satire</a>&nbsp;"Heart of the Beast", starring Brad Pitt as a former soldier and his loyal but traumatised combat dog as they survive in the Alaskan wilderness, brought in an estimated $11 million for Paramount on its second weekend. It stayed in third place.&nbsp;Then in fourth with a debut revenue of just $8 million was "Digger", a black comedy starring Cruise as a powerful man who sets off a climate disaster, then tries to show he is the one to save the world from it."For a black comedy, the numbers are not bad, but black comedies are small films, and this isn't a small film; it's a Tom Cruise movie," Gross wrote.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/digger-early-reviews-critics-divided-on-tom-cruise-s-film-one-calls-it-gorgeous-another-says-audiences-will-urgently-want-to-leave-1790739803580">Digger early reviews: Critics divided on Tom Cruise's Film, one calls it 'gorgeous', another says 'audiences will urgently want to leave'</a>&nbsp;Dropping one rung to fifth, also with $8 million, was "Primetime", starring Robert Pattinson as reality TV host Chris Hansen. The film is based on a real-life US show from the mid-2000s called "To Catch a Predator", in which Hansen and his production staff lured would-be paedophiles into sting operations where police were waiting to make on-screen arrests.&nbsp;Rounding out the top 10:"Forgotten Island" ($7.2 mn)"Avengers Endgame: Encore" ($4.4 mn)"Practical Magic 2" ($2.65 mn)"Spider-Man: Brand New Day" ($2.45 mn)"The Odyssey" ($1.3 mn)

The North American box office had a clear winner this weekend, with Verity gaining momentum with numbers. Meanwhile, Tom Cruise’s latest film, Digger, is struggling to draw audiences. 

The bookish thriller "Verity" cleaned up in its North American box office debut this weekend, while Tom Cruise flopped in "Digger", playing a rich old guy who thinks he can save the world. "Verity", an MGM film starring Dakota Johnson, Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnett, took in $32.6 million in its first weekend, industry monitor Exhibitor Relations said. Adapted from a novel by Colleen Hoover, the story of a struggling writer hired to help a famous author finish her book scored an excellent opening for an original psychological thriller, said veteran industry watcher David A. Gross of FranchiseRe Movies. Also Read: Verity movie review: Strong performances from Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett couldn't save this underwhelming thriller "The weekend figure is well above average for the genre, in spite of weak reviews and audience ratings," he wrote. "The reception is not hurting the film — audiences are showing up in big numbers." Holding on to second place was Sony's "Resident Evil", with $12.5 million this weekend, bringing its North American total to $125 million after three weekends in theatres. Also Read: Alejandro Iñárritu’s Digger movie review: Tom Cruise strips away the hero persona in a complex climate satire "Heart of the Beast", starring Brad Pitt as a former soldier and his loyal but traumatised combat dog as they survive in the Alaskan wilderness, brought in an estimated $11 million for Paramount on its second weekend. It stayed in third place. Then in fourth with a debut revenue of just $8 million was "Digger", a black comedy starring Cruise as a powerful man who sets off a climate disaster, then tries to show he is the one to save the world from it. "For a black comedy, the numbers are not bad, but black comedies are small films, and this isn't a small film; it's a Tom Cruise movie," Gross wrote. Also Read: Digger early reviews: Critics divided on Tom Cruise's Film, one calls it 'gorgeous', another says 'audiences will urgently want to leave' Dropping one rung to fifth, also with $8 million, was "Primetime", starring Robert Pattinson as reality TV host Chris Hansen. The film is based on a real-life US show from the mid-2000s called "To Catch a Predator", in which Hansen and his production staff lured would-be paedophiles into sting operations where police were waiting to make on-screen arrests. Rounding out the top 10: "Forgotten Island" ($7.2 mn) "Avengers Endgame: Encore" ($4.4 mn) "Practical Magic 2" ($2.65 mn) "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" ($2.45 mn) "The Odyssey" ($1.3 mn)

The North American box office had a clear winner this weekend, with Verity gaining momentum with numbers. Meanwhile, Tom Cruise’s latest film, Digger, is struggling to draw audiences.&nbsp;

Verity tops North American box office as Tom Cruise’s Digger stumbles

Amid the mixed response to Digger, Tom Cruise has shown support for his latest release. The Alejandro G. Iñárritu-directed satirical dark comedy arrived in cinemas on October 2 and has struggled to find a strong audience.&nbsp;The film marks a major departure from the action-driven roles that the actor has become synonymous with, but Digger’s unconventional premise and mixed reviews appear to have affected its commercial performance.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/alejandro-i-rritu-s-digger-movie-review-tom-cruise-strips-away-the-hero-persona-in-a-complex-climate-satire-1790933864315">Alejandro Iñárritu’s Digger movie review: Tom Cruise strips away the hero persona in a complex climate satire</a>&nbsp;Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, an eccentric and wealthy oil tycoon whose business activities contribute to an environmental catastrophe.&nbsp;As the situation escalates, Rockwell attempts to present himself as the person capable of saving humanity from the crisis he helped create.&nbsp;The role sees Cruise undergo a significant physical transformation, including prosthetics and a balding look.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/digger-final-trailer-out-tom-cruise-s-wild-old-version-is-on-a-mission-to-save-the-world-1789028521868">Digger final trailer out: Tom Cruise's wild, old version is on a mission to save the world</a><h2>Tom Cruise speaks in support of Digger</h2>After the film's theatrical release, Cruise took to social media to share behind-the-scenes pictures and open up about the film. "DIGGER is officially in theaters and I am so honored to have had the opportunity to create this film alongside such talented artists. Thank you to the entire cast and crew for your dedication, hard work, and joy. The experience was truly unforgettable and I’m so proud of what we created."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/digger-early-reviews-critics-divided-on-tom-cruise-s-film-one-calls-it-gorgeous-another-says-audiences-will-urgently-want-to-leave-1790739803580">Digger early reviews: Critics divided on Tom Cruise's Film, one calls it 'gorgeous', another says 'audiences will urgently want to leave'</a>&nbsp;Cruise's post comes as Digger is struggling at the box office. According to reports, the film could be Cruise's weakest opening for a theatrical release, despite being created on a reported budget of $125 million.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">DIGGER is officially in theaters and I am so honored to have had the opportunity to create this film alongside such talented artists. Thank you to the entire cast and crew for your dedication, hard work, and joy. The experience was truly unforgettable and I’m so proud of what we created.

1/3&mdash; Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) <a href="https://x.com/TomCruise/status/2106407602305548765?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/digger-world-premiere-tom-cruise-welcomes-prince-william-and-kate-as-star-studded-cast-gathers-actor-calls-role-totally-outrageous-1790133315017"> Digger world premiere: Tom Cruise welcomes Prince William and Kate as star-studded cast gathers; actor calls role ‘totally outrageous’</a>&nbsp;The cast also features Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Jesse Plemons, Michael Stuhlbarg and Emma D'Arcy in key roles.&nbsp;WION review of Digger reads, "The film, while being a satire on the climate crisis and the politics behind it, also touches upon corporate greed, the honesty of art and actors, white supremacy, and more. The result is a very complex film that will have very divisive viewpoints from its audience. Digger may not be fully cohesive, but it still makes a powerful commentary about the world we live in, where the rich and the powerful often sideline pertinent issues about the environment, which in fact need urgent attention. With Digger, filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu holds up a mirror to the world to make everyone sit up and take notes about the environment around us. However, the message is delivered through a very convoluted story." &nbsp;

Following the release of Digger, Tom Cruise has taken to social media to express his gratitude to the film's team. The post comes after Alejandro G. Iñárritu's film received mixed responses.

Amid the mixed response to Digger, Tom Cruise has shown support for his latest release. The Alejandro G. Iñárritu-directed satirical dark comedy arrived in cinemas on October 2 and has struggled to find a strong audience. The film marks a major departure from the action-driven roles that the actor has become synonymous with, but Digger’s unconventional premise and mixed reviews appear to have affected its commercial performance. Also Read: Alejandro Iñárritu’s Digger movie review: Tom Cruise strips away the hero persona in a complex climate satire Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, an eccentric and wealthy oil tycoon whose business activities contribute to an environmental catastrophe. As the situation escalates, Rockwell attempts to present himself as the person capable of saving humanity from the crisis he helped create. The role sees Cruise undergo a significant physical transformation, including prosthetics and a balding look. Also Read: Digger final trailer out: Tom Cruise's wild, old version is on a mission to save the world Tom Cruise speaks in support of Digger After the film's theatrical release, Cruise took to social media to share behind-the-scenes pictures and open up about the film. "DIGGER is officially in theaters and I am so honored to have had the opportunity to create this film alongside such talented artists. Thank you to the entire cast and crew for your dedication, hard work, and joy. The experience was truly unforgettable and I’m so proud of what we created." Also Read: Digger early reviews: Critics divided on Tom Cruise's Film, one calls it 'gorgeous', another says 'audiences will urgently want to leave' Cruise's post comes as Digger is struggling at the box office. According to reports, the film could be Cruise's weakest opening for a theatrical release, despite being created on a reported budget of $125 million.

Following the release of Digger, Tom Cruise has taken to social media to express his gratitude to the film's team. The post comes after Alejandro G. Iñárritu's film received mixed responses.

Tom Cruise celebrates Digger as film struggles at box office amid mixed response

With a career spanning film, television and theatre, John Goodman has built a reputation for bringing both scale and nuance to some of cinema and television’s most memorable characters. The Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor, known for acclaimed performances in Roseanne, Barton Fink, The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Argo and Monsters, Inc., now joins five-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu for Digger.&nbsp;In the film, Goodman plays President Compson, a commanding figure at the centre of Iñárritu’s wildly ambitious world. For Goodman, working on a film of this scale meant trusting Iñárritu’s vision. He also compared his approach to a painting and a symphony, with every individual’s performance contributing to the larger picture in the film.<h2>‘Alejandro is a conductor’</h2>Speaking about Iñárritu’s approach to the film, Goodman said, “Everything’s geared to tell the big story. It’s a painting. It’s almost a symphony, and Alejandro is a conductor. He knew where he wanted to go with this thing, which I couldn’t possibly see. But, if I could just put my little piece of the jigsaw puzzle in correctly, then I could trust that everything else is going to be there and it’ll fit inside of this big, kaleidoscopic adventure that we’ve got going on.”&nbsp;That trust also gave Goodman the freedom to experiment with his performance as President Compson, allowing him to try different approaches without worrying how it would look. Goodman said, “The script and the concept are so enormous that I just threw everything out there; I didn’t care what a fool I looked like. Alejandro just started pulling back things, and it worked.”&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/alejandro-i-rritu-s-digger-movie-review-tom-cruise-strips-away-the-hero-persona-in-a-complex-climate-satire-1790933864315">Digger review: Tom Cruise strips away hero persona in a complex climate satire</a><h2>‘Tom Cruise looks like he is 15 still’</h2>On working with Cruise and seeing his transformation into Digger Rockwell, Goodman said, “The kid’s a force of nature. He’s just inspiring. He’s so committed, and he’s a cheerleader. He’s an amazing guy. He was in [the prosthetics] all the time, so I just forgot about it, then when he’d come in without the prosthetic on I was like, holy shit that’s Tom Cruise, ‘cause you know, he looks like he’s 15 still.”&nbsp;Beyond the performances themselves, Goodman also found that the time given to the cast played an important role in discovering the film together. Reflecting on the collaborative process, Goodman said, “We had the luxury of a great deal of time and a learning curve to get on top of things and below things and into things, and to listen to each other.”&nbsp;Cruise stars in the title role alongside Oscar winner Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Oscar nominee Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg and Oscar nominee Jesse Plemons. Robert John Burke, Emma D’Arcy, Burn Gorman and Sophie Wilde are also part of the film.Digger’s screenplay is by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and Oscar winners Alexander Dinelaris and Nicolás Giacobone, and Sabina Berman, from a story by Iñárritu and Berman. The film is produced by Iñárritu, Oscar nominee Mary Parent, Tom Cruise and Michael Sharp, and executive produced by Joshua Grode, Sabina Berman, Alexander Dinelaris, Nicolás Giacobone, Jez Butterworth and Emmanuel Lubezki.&nbsp;Digger is now running in cinemas worldwide.

Emmy and Golden Globe Winner John Goodman opened up about working with Alejandro G. Iñárritu and  Tom Cruise in Digger. Goodman plays President Compson in the film. 

With a career spanning film, television and theatre, John Goodman has built a reputation for bringing both scale and nuance to some of cinema and television’s most memorable characters. The Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor, known for acclaimed performances in Roseanne, Barton Fink, The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Argo and Monsters, Inc., now joins five-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu for Digger. In the film, Goodman plays President Compson, a commanding figure at the centre of Iñárritu’s wildly ambitious world. For Goodman, working on a film of this scale meant trusting Iñárritu’s vision. He also compared his approach to a painting and a symphony, with every individual’s performance contributing to the larger picture in the film. ‘Alejandro is a conductor’ Speaking about Iñárritu’s approach to the film, Goodman said, “Everything’s geared to tell the big story. It’s a painting. It’s almost a symphony, and Alejandro is a conductor. He knew where he wanted to go with this thing, which I couldn’t possibly see. But, if I could just put my little piece of the jigsaw puzzle in correctly, then I could trust that everything else is going to be there and it’ll fit inside of this big, kaleidoscopic adventure that we’ve got going on.” That trust also gave Goodman the freedom to experiment with his performance as President Compson, allowing him to try different approaches without worrying how it would look. Goodman said, “The script and the concept are so enormous that I just threw everything out there; I didn’t care what a fool I looked like. Alejandro just started pulling back things, and it worked.” Also read: Digger review: Tom Cruise strips away hero persona in a complex climate satire ‘Tom Cruise looks like he is 15 still’ On working with Cruise and seeing his transformation into Digger Rockwell, Goodman said, “The kid’s a force of nature. He’s just inspiring. He’s so committed, and he’s a cheerleader. He’s an amazing guy. He was in [the prosthetics] all the time, so I just forgot about it, then when he’d come in without the prosthetic on I was like, holy shit that’s Tom Cruise, ‘cause you know, he looks like he’s 15 still.” Beyond the performances themselves, Goodman also found that the time given to the cast played an important role in discovering the film together. Reflecting on the collaborative process, Goodman said, “We had the luxury of a great deal of time and a learning curve to get on top of things and below things and into things, and to listen to each other.” Cruise stars in the title role alongside Oscar winner Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Oscar nominee Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg and Oscar nominee Jesse Plemons. Robert John Burke, Emma D’Arcy, Burn Gorman and Sophie Wilde are also part of the film. Digger’s screenplay is by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and Oscar winners Alexander Dinelaris and Nicolás Giacobone, and Sabina Berman, from a story by Iñárritu and Berman. The film is produced by Iñárritu, Oscar nominee Mary Parent, Tom Cruise and Michael Sharp, and executive produced by Joshua Grode, Sabina Berman, Alexander Dinelaris, Nicolás Giacobone, Jez Butterworth and Emmanuel Lubezki. Digger is now running in cinemas worldwide.

Emmy and Golden Globe Winner John Goodman opened up about working with Alejandro G. Iñárritu and &nbsp;Tom Cruise in Digger. Goodman plays President Compson in the film.&nbsp;

'He's a force of nature': John Goodman reacts to Tom Cruise's prosthetic transformation in Digger | Exclusive

Oscar-winning director Alejandro G Iñárritu’s latest film Digger strips Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise of all the frills and presents him in one of the actor’s most experimental films to date. In recent years, the audience has witnessed Cruise perform death-defying stunts in action thrillers. The man who, in innumerable films, refused to age and gave actors half his age a major complex by performing risky stunts, ages and how in Digger plays a character who is self-aware of his misdeeds and even wants to come clean.&nbsp;Buried under heavy prosthetics, Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, an oil tycoon in Iñárritu’s climactic satire, which talks of power and politics and how it influences society at large. The satire, while highlighting some pertinent issues, is also indulgent with its storytelling, making Digger a very complex film which is not palatable for regular film watchers.<h2>What’s the plot of Digger</h2>Wealthy oil tycoon Digger Rockwell finds himself in the middle of a global climate crisis after one of his oil rigs explodes in Alaska. The repercussions are tsunami-level and can affect all of Europe. Digger is initially is internally optimistic about the situation and not ready to take the blame, despite the fact that many of his employees had already warned him of this day before. He eventually realises that he has to face the consequences and wants to come clean. However, the US President (John Goodman) and his advisors are myopic about the catastrophe at hand, despite Dr Ganesh, Digger’s chief scientist, constantly pushing facts about the crisis at hand. &nbsp; The President is more concerned about his future; Digger’s half-sister Emma (Sandra Huller), who runs the greener side of the family business, is concerned about her image and Digger now has to take the lead to handle the global crisis. The narrative not only focuses on the climate crisis, but also focuses on American politics, family dynamics and even art, as the plot is set within a play, making each actor play dual characters.&nbsp;

<h2>What works and what does not</h2>Let’s just say Digger is not for everyone. It commands your attention, makes you think and makes you dig deeper. A regular cinema watcher, who is used to commercial thrillers and linear story format, may find the narrative extremely complex. The filmmaker goes all out in taking jibes at the powerful and the rich who often have a myopic view when dealing with global crises. A scene in the beginning shows the US Army head sizing up Dr Ganesh and asking where he is originally from, pompous about his white skin and condescending toward the brown man who is easily the most intelligent in the room. Moments later, a group of white men plot vague plans of how to make America look good and be the saviour amid this catastrophe, not realising that it's they who have created the crisis in the first place. Iñárritu’s vision is indulgent, and you have to go with the flow as he creates a massive canvas. It's a story within a story. A play about Digger and the global climate crisis where Cruise plays an actor retelling a similar incident from the past that has had an actual effect on him and his family. With a non-linear narrative and metaphors galore, it is tough to keep up. The makers also reiterate a lot of the plot points, making the story repetitive.While the film and story are indulgent and complex, it is Tom Cruise who makes it worth your time. We are all so used to watching Cruise play a larger-than-life national hero saving the world in most of his films that his portrayal as the flawed Oil tycoon in Digger takes time to settle in. But once you get used to it Cruise takes you on a very interesting ride. With a prosthetic belly and a thick Southern accent, Cruise charms you and engages with you. Riz Ahmed as Dr Ganesh also complements Cruise well on screen. While Digger is eccentric, Ganesh grounds him every so often. Similarly, John Goodman plays the megalomaniac president well.<h2>Final Verdict</h2>The film, while being a satire on the climate crisis and the politics behind it, also touches upon corporate greed, the honesty of art and actors, white supremacy, and more. The result is a very complex film that will have very divisive viewpoints from its audience. Digger may not be fully cohesive, but it still makes a powerful commentary about the world we live in, where the rich and the powerful often sideline pertinent issues about the environment, which in fact need urgent attention. With Digger, filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu holds up a mirror to the world to make everyone sit up and take notes about the environment around us. However, the message is delivered through a very convoluted story. Digger is now running in cinemas.

Digger is perhaps Tom Cruise's most experimental role to date. For a man who has featured in multiple Hollywood blockbusters over 4 decades, his portrayal of a flawed oil tycoon in Digger comes as a refreshing change. But the film is a complex story that commands your attention. 

Oscar-winning director Alejandro G Iñárritu’s latest film Digger strips Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise of all the frills and presents him in one of the actor’s most experimental films to date. In recent years, the audience has witnessed Cruise perform death-defying stunts in action thrillers. The man who, in innumerable films, refused to age and gave actors half his age a major complex by performing risky stunts, ages and how in Digger plays a character who is self-aware of his misdeeds and even wants to come clean. Buried under heavy prosthetics, Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, an oil tycoon in Iñárritu’s climactic satire, which talks of power and politics and how it influences society at large. The satire, while highlighting some pertinent issues, is also indulgent with its storytelling, making Digger a very complex film which is not palatable for regular film watchers. What’s the plot of Digger Wealthy oil tycoon Digger Rockwell finds himself in the middle of a global climate crisis after one of his oil rigs explodes in Alaska. The repercussions are tsunami-level and can affect all of Europe. Digger is initially is internally optimistic about the situation and not ready to take the blame, despite the fact that many of his employees had already warned him of this day before. He eventually realises that he has to face the consequences and wants to come clean. However, the US President (John Goodman) and his advisors are myopic about the catastrophe at hand, despite Dr Ganesh, Digger’s chief scientist, constantly pushing facts about the crisis at hand. The President is more concerned about his future; Digger’s half-sister Emma (Sandra Huller), who runs the greener side of the family business, is concerned about her image and Digger now has to take the lead to handle the global crisis. The narrative not only focuses on the climate crisis, but also focuses on American politics, family dynamics and even art, as the plot is set within a play, making each actor play dual characters.

Digger is perhaps Tom Cruise's most experimental role to date. For a man who has featured in multiple Hollywood blockbusters over 4 decades, his portrayal of a flawed oil tycoon in Digger comes as a refreshing change. But the film is a complex story that commands your attention.&nbsp;

Digger movie review: Tom Cruise strips away the hero persona in a complex climate satire

Tom Cruise is an old man, not in real life, but in Oscar-winning Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's satirical movie, Digger. After entertaining his fans for years with his heroic cliff and aircraft, Cruise has returned to the screen in one of the most dramatic and unimaginable ways.&nbsp;Set to release on Oct 2, the early reviews of the movie are out, and it's a mixed bag. Said to be an early 2027 Oscars favourite, the movie has been expected to be one of the top favourites of the next award season.<h3>Tom Cruise's Digger: What are early reviews of the movie saying?</h3>The dark comedy satire revolves around Digger Rockwell, a wealthy oil tycoon, who is old for his age, but not by his actions. After the actions at his refinery, he goes on a wild journey, as he's the only one, who can save this world. The movie is said to be a sharp satire with dark humour and unpredictable turns.&nbsp;Iñárritu directed and has a credit for the screenplay along with Oscar winners Alexander Dinelaris and Nicolás Giacobone, and Sabina Berman, from a story by Iñárritu and Berman.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/obsession-follow-up-announced-director-curry-barker-to-tell-story-of-newbie-ghosthunters-film-to-release-in-2027-1790737242357">Obsession 2 in works! Director Curry Barker to tell story of newbie ghosthunters</a>&nbsp;The movie stars Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Jesse Plemons, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, Robert John Burke, Emma D'Arcy, Burn Gorman, and Sophie Wilde.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We had so much fun creating DIGGER together with Iñárritu. We can’t wait for you all to experience the film! Digg In October 2nd. <a href="https://t.co/xLyiFvzPEo">pic.twitter.com/xLyiFvzPEo</a>&mdash; Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) <a href="https://x.com/TomCruise/status/2102050433497981030?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h3>What are early reviews saying about the movie?</h3>Some early reactions have called the movie a ''mess.'' While, another called, it a ‘masterpiece.’ So, the movie is surely getting a mixed bag of reactions.&nbsp;Critic Edward Douglas said, “I cannot say that ‘Digger’ is very good, although I could tell what Iñarritu and Cruise were going for… I expect a HORRENDOUS CinemaScore.”&nbsp;Liam Crowley hails Digger as a "a masterpiece.''&nbsp;''I’m shocked to be typing this. Hated the trailers and boy am I glad I was led astray. This is an extremely important film that feels like a moment in time in our species' history. I’ve never been simultaneously happy and haunted by a story quite like this. And that ending, coupled with the reality check I faced on the walk home thru NYC streets, man. I could talk about this film for hours. I think it’s my new top contender for Best Picture,'' he said.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/one-about-matthew-perry-trailer-out-friends-star-s-sister-reveals-he-spent-7-million-trying-to-get-sober-1790692922898">One About Matthew Perry trailer: Friends star spent $7M trying to get sober</a>&nbsp;IndieWire editor Anne Thompson predicted Academy Awards for the movie, saying that the movie will not score with mainstream audiences.&nbsp;''AG Iñárritu's Digger is a brave and gorgeous art film that will not score with mainstream audiences but will play best for the Academy, especially crafts and actors. But critics will divide on Cruise. The tour-de-force amphitheater scene might put him across. Riz Ahmed is fab," Thompson wrote. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;David Rooney of THR called the movie, ''handsomely crafted but thematically overstuffed.''&nbsp;Digger is so used to being cocooned among yes men that he’s almost affronted when his head of environmental security (Danny Kirrane) gets through on a video call from the Arctic oil field where the Rockwell workforce has been pumping 9,000 barrels a day, with nine months remaining on the company’s lease.&nbsp;ScreenCrush‘s Matt Singer, wrote that, Cruise has not being part of “anything this creatively or overtly political in almost 20 years.”&nbsp;“Subtlety has no place in this fictional universe. Few actors of the skill and range of John Goodman have ever given a performance as exaggerated as his in Digger; ditto Sandra Huller as Digger’s half-sister who grows increasingly infuriated with her sibling’s questionable decisions,” he wrote.&nbsp;

Iñárritu directed and has a credit for the screenplay along with Oscar winners Alexander Dinelaris and Nicolás Giacobone, and Sabina Berman, from a story by Iñárritu and Berman.

Tom Cruise is an old man, not in real life, but in Oscar-winning Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's satirical movie, Digger. After entertaining his fans for years with his heroic cliff and aircraft, Cruise has returned to the screen in one of the most dramatic and unimaginable ways. Set to release on Oct 2, the early reviews of the movie are out, and it's a mixed bag. Said to be an early 2027 Oscars favourite, the movie has been expected to be one of the top favourites of the next award season. Tom Cruise's Digger: What are early reviews of the movie saying? The dark comedy satire revolves around Digger Rockwell, a wealthy oil tycoon, who is old for his age, but not by his actions. After the actions at his refinery, he goes on a wild journey, as he's the only one, who can save this world. The movie is said to be a sharp satire with dark humour and unpredictable turns. Iñárritu directed and has a credit for the screenplay along with Oscar winners Alexander Dinelaris and Nicolás Giacobone, and Sabina Berman, from a story by Iñárritu and Berman. Also read: Obsession 2 in works! Director Curry Barker to tell story of newbie ghosthunters The movie stars Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Jesse Plemons, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, Robert John Burke, Emma D'Arcy, Burn Gorman, and Sophie Wilde.

Iñárritu directed and has a credit for the screenplay along with Oscar winners Alexander Dinelaris and Nicolás Giacobone, and Sabina Berman, from a story by Iñárritu and Berman.

Digger early reviews: Critics divided on Tom Cruise's Film, one calls it 'gorgeous', another says 'audiences will urgently want to leave'

Tom Cruise's Digger avatar is something his fans never imagined. But he has transformed into something that will truly take the world by surprise. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu is returning to cinema with his film Digger, and today, the makers have released the final trailer, and the movie looks epic. &nbsp;The final trailer for Digger is here, taking audiences deeper into the extraordinary mess that oil tycoon Digger Rockwell, played by Tom Cruise, has found himself at the centre of an immensely powerful oil baron whose empire has become entangled in an ecological catastrophe with consequences that could reach the highest levels of power, Digger now finds himself at the center of a crisis that threatens to spiral into a global catastrophe.&nbsp;As the most powerful people in the country are pulled into the chaos and everyone turns to Digger to dig them out of the mess, he is convinced that he is the only man who can take control. We trust Digger! The trailer declares, as Digger races against time to prove he can fix the very mess he may have helped create. With its sharp satire, dark humour and increasingly unpredictable turns, the final trailer offers a closer look at the madness that legendary filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu has created, before audiences finally experience Digger on the big screen.

Cruise stars in the title role alongside Oscar winner Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Oscar nominee Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg and Oscar nominee Jesse Plemons. Robert John Burke, Emma D’Arcy, Burn Gorman and Sophie Wilde also star.&nbsp;Iñárritu directed from a screenplay by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and Oscar winners Alexander Dinelaris and Nicolás Giacobone, and Sabina Berman, from a story by Iñárritu and Berman. The film is produced by Iñárritu, Oscar nominee Mary Parent, Tom Cruise and Michael Sharp, and executive produced by Joshua Grode, Sabina Berman, Alexander Dinelaris, Nicolás Giacobone, Jez Butterworth and Emmanuel Lubezki.&nbsp;Joining Iñárritu behind the camera are previous collaborators including Oscar-winning director of photography Emmanuel Lubezki; editors Conor O’Neill and Oscar winner Stephen Mirrione; Oscar-nominated costume designer Jacqueline West; Oscar-winning makeup and hair designer Alessandro Bertolazzi; and Oscar-nominated casting director Francine Maisler; alongside Oscar-winning production designer Dennis Gassner and production designer Richard Johnson, Oscar-winning prosthetic makeup designer Kazu Hiro, and composer Cosmo Sheldrake.&nbsp;An Alejandro G. Iñárritu Film, Digger was shot entirely in VistaVision and will be released in Cinemas and IMAX® across India on 2nd October 2026. The film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Starring Tom Cruise, Digger was shot entirely in VistaVision and will be released in Cinemas and IMAX® across India on 2nd October 2026. 

Tom Cruise's Digger avatar is something his fans never imagined. But he has transformed into something that will truly take the world by surprise. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu is returning to cinema with his film Digger, and today, the makers have released the final trailer, and the movie looks epic. The final trailer for Digger is here, taking audiences deeper into the extraordinary mess that oil tycoon Digger Rockwell, played by Tom Cruise, has found himself at the centre of an immensely powerful oil baron whose empire has become entangled in an ecological catastrophe with consequences that could reach the highest levels of power, Digger now finds himself at the center of a crisis that threatens to spiral into a global catastrophe. As the most powerful people in the country are pulled into the chaos and everyone turns to Digger to dig them out of the mess, he is convinced that he is the only man who can take control. We trust Digger! The trailer declares, as Digger races against time to prove he can fix the very mess he may have helped create. With its sharp satire, dark humour and increasingly unpredictable turns, the final trailer offers a closer look at the madness that legendary filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu has created, before audiences finally experience Digger on the big screen.

Starring Tom Cruise, Digger was shot entirely in VistaVision and will be released in Cinemas and IMAX® across India on 2nd October 2026.&nbsp;

Digger final trailer out: Tom Cruise's wild, old version is on a mission to save the world

The makers of Digger unveiled the first trailer of the film on Monday, giving fans a glimpse of one of Tom Cruise's most unconventional performances. Directed by two-time Academy Award winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu, the upcoming project is expected to present political satire with a mix of dark comedy. In Digger, Cruise plays the role of an eccentric billionaire whose actions threaten the fate of the planet.<h2>Digger trailer</h2>In the trailer, the actor is introduced as Digger Rockwell, an influential oil magnate whose corporation is said to have triggered a massive environmental crisis. As the clip moves forward, he can be seen convincing everyone that he alone can prevent total catastrophe.&nbsp;Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-tom-cruise-day-to-priesthood-6-surprising-facts-you-probably-didn-t-know-about-hollywood-actor-1747997530313"> From 'Tom Cruise Day' to priesthood: 6 surprising facts you probably didn’t know about Hollywood actor</a><h2>Tom Cruise looks unrecognisable</h2>What caught the attention of the viewers in the video was Cruise's striking new look. Complete with a pot belly, thinning white hair styled in a comb-over and a thick Southern accent, he looked almost unrecognisable. &nbsp;&nbsp;As the trailer begins, Rockwell says, "Everything changes. One day you're a cat, or a king. Next day, you're just ashes in a box."&nbsp;The footage largely depends on absurd humour while maintaining high stakes.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/tom-cruise-turns-64-top-gun-maverick-mission-impossible-fallout-jerry-maguire-revisit-8-gems-of-the-superstar-on-netflix-prime-video-and-more-1783050023215">Tom Cruise turns 64: Top Gun: Maverick, Mission: Impossible-Fallout, Jerry Maguire- Revisit 8 gems of the superstar on Netflix, Prime Video and more</a>&nbsp;

&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/tom-cruise-receives-honorary-oscar-at-governors-awards-his-emotional-speech-goes-viral-my-love-for-cinema-began-1763375384011">Tom Cruise receives Honorary Oscar at Governors Awards</a>&nbsp;Speaking about the film during a recent promotional event, Cruise said, "I have never had something that could challenge me in this way, and neither has Alejandro," as quoted by Variety. "Alejandro took several days during which he was just reading the script to me and I'm listening to everything that's in his mind, so that I can understand that, and then I know how to contribute to it, and bring that collaboration together."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/tom-cruise-is-a-digger-actor-announces-his-next-film-set-for-oct-2025-release-1766116444811">Tom Cruise is a Digger! Actor announces his next film, set for Oct 2026 release</a><h2>About Digger</h2>The film also features Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons, Sophie Wilde and Emma D'Arcy in key roles. The screenplay has been co-written by Iñárritu alongside Alexander Dinelaris, Nicolás Giacobone and Sabina Berman, and Emmanuel Lubezki serves as cinematographer.&nbsp;Produced by Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures, Digger is expected to hit theatres on October 2, 2026. &nbsp;

The trailer of Digger is out, introducing Tom Cruise as an eccentric billionaire whose actions threaten the fate of the planet. The actor looks almost unrecognisable in the upcoming film directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu.

The makers of Digger unveiled the first trailer of the film on Monday, giving fans a glimpse of one of Tom Cruise's most unconventional performances. Directed by two-time Academy Award winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu, the upcoming project is expected to present political satire with a mix of dark comedy. In Digger, Cruise plays the role of an eccentric billionaire whose actions threaten the fate of the planet. Digger trailer In the trailer, the actor is introduced as Digger Rockwell, an influential oil magnate whose corporation is said to have triggered a massive environmental crisis. As the clip moves forward, he can be seen convincing everyone that he alone can prevent total catastrophe. Also Read: From 'Tom Cruise Day' to priesthood: 6 surprising facts you probably didn’t know about Hollywood actor Tom Cruise looks unrecognisable What caught the attention of the viewers in the video was Cruise's striking new look. Complete with a pot belly, thinning white hair styled in a comb-over and a thick Southern accent, he looked almost unrecognisable. As the trailer begins, Rockwell says, "Everything changes. One day you're a cat, or a king. Next day, you're just ashes in a box." The footage largely depends on absurd humour while maintaining high stakes. Also Read: Tom Cruise turns 64: Top Gun: Maverick, Mission: Impossible-Fallout, Jerry Maguire- Revisit 8 gems of the superstar on Netflix, Prime Video and more

The trailer of Digger is out, introducing Tom Cruise as an eccentric billionaire whose actions threaten the fate of the planet. The actor looks almost unrecognisable in the upcoming film directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu.

Digger trailer out: Tom Cruise plays an eccentric billionaire in Alejandro G Iñárritu's dark comedy

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Digger review: Tom Cruise strips away hero persona in a complex climate satire

Digger Reviews out: Tom Cruise's film gets mixed reactions from critics

Digger trailer: Tom Cruise's wild, old version is on a mission to save the world

Digger trailer: Tom Cruise plays eccentric billionaire in the dark comedy