Digger draws sharply divided early reactions

Early reactions to Tom Cruise’s new film Digger are sharply divided, with critics praising its ambition and performances while others describe it as baffling, unpleasant or unsuccessful. The responses follow press screenings and do not establish how general audiences will receive the film when it opens in U.S. theaters on October 2, 2026. Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, Digger is a satire centered on a wealthy oil magnate whose actions cause a catastrophe and leave him trying to save the world. Cruise plays the title character, Digger Rockwell. The cast also includes Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg and Jesse Plemons. Several critics have singled out Cruise’s performance and the film’s visual craft, even when they objected to its story or tone. Some described the movie as ambitious and visually inventive, and praised Cruise’s commitment to an unusual role. Other reactions faulted the film for failing to connect its ideas or for leaning on absurdity without providing enough depth. One critic called it a mess, while another said it was generally unpleasant. The positive responses were equally emphatic.