Thescreescore – Tom Cruise’s latest cinematic venture, Digger, directed by Oscar-winning auteur Alejandro G. Iñárritu, has concluded its theatrical run amidst a firestorm of divided opinions. The environmental satire, which sees Cruise portray an eponymous billionaire tasked with averting a global catastrophe, arrived with considerable awards buzz. However, initial critical reactions were so contentious that many observers cautioned general audiences might find its unique blend of comedy and social commentary challenging. Indeed, the film earned the dubious distinction of becoming Cruise’s first "rotten" graded movie in a decade by critics, sparking widespread debate across the industry.
Despite the critical drubbing, which saw Digger land a 51% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film’s official audience verdict paints a surprisingly different picture. With over 250 ratings, the movie achieved a "fresh" 72% audience score, underscoring a significant divergence from professional reviewers. While this still marks Cruise’s lowest audience approval in the past ten years, it notably more than doubles the paltry 35% garnered by his 2017 feature, The Mummy. Adding another layer of complexity to its reception, CinemaScore reported a mixed C+ grade from opening night moviegoers, suggesting a nuanced rather than outright enthusiastic public response.
Digger is undeniably shaping up to be one of 2026’s most polarizing cinematic releases. Critics frequently lamented that the film prioritized its ambitious aesthetic flair over narrative depth, drawing unfavorable comparisons to Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove for its perceived lack of humor and precise execution. Many found the climate change allegory overly didactic, and a significant plot twist proved particularly divisive, with some hailing its audaciousness while others felt it fundamentally undermined the viewing experience.
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Nevertheless, the film wasn’t without its merits. Technical aspects, including its evocative score and stunning visual design, frequently drew praise. Cruise’s dynamic and high-energy portrayal of the lead character also stood out, particularly during an intense, ten-minute monologue that showcased his versatile acting prowess. Yet, even these strengths couldn’t unify audience opinion, with viewers sharply split between those who defended the film’s artistic execution and those who deemed it a regrettable use of their time.
In a bold marketing move, Warner Bros. leveraged the film’s contentious reception in a recent promotional trailer. Responding to social media discussions, the campaign urged viewers to "You decide," interspersing clips with overwhelmingly positive quotes from outlets like IndieWire, which hailed it as a "Tom Cruise masterpiece that will stand the test of time," and The Telegraph, praising it as "beautiful, daring, and extravagant." However, this polarizing response has already impacted Digger‘s commercial prospects. Against a substantial budget estimated between $160-$180 million, the satire is projected to earn a mere $8 million domestically in its opening weekend, marking Cruise’s weakest box office debut in 19 years.
The initial awards buzz surrounding Digger has largely diminished, though Cruise’s unconventional performance still holds a strong chance for a Best Actor nomination. This also represents an unremarkable swansong for Warner Bros. as an independent entity, with Digger being its final release before its integration with Paramount under the Skydance banner. For Cruise, this marks a temporary departure from his signature action roles; he is set to return to the genre with the Days of Thunder sequel, co-starring Anne Hathaway. Iñárritu co-wrote Digger‘s screenplay with Alexander Dinelaris, Nicolás Giacobone, and Sabina Berman, supported by a notable ensemble cast including Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Jesse Plemons.
Digger is currently playing in theaters.
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