Thescreescore – The cinematic world is abuzz following the initial critical unveiling of Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s highly anticipated satirical dark comedy, "Digger." Starring an almost unrecognizable Tom Cruise in a role already generating significant Oscar speculation, this early frontrunner for the 2027 Academy Awards has finally offered a glimpse into its polarizing narrative. Cruise embodies Digger Rockwell, an opulent yet erratic oil magnate whose relentless drilling operations trigger global ecological catastrophe, forcing him to confront the cataclysm he unleashed. With a stellar ensemble cast including Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Jesse Plemons, Sandra Hüller, and Emma D’Arcy, the film, directed by the visionary Iñárritu, has now premiered to a chorus of diverse and often contradictory reactions.
The preliminary reviews, shared across social media, paint a vivid picture of a film destined to ignite passionate debate. Liam Crowley, a reporter and host for thescreescore.com, lauded "Digger" as an undeniable "masterpiece." Expressing profound shock given his initial skepticism towards the marketing, Crowley hailed it as an "extremely important film" that resonates as a "moment in time in our species’ history," proclaiming it his new top contender for Best Picture. Jake Hamilton of Jake’s Takes echoed this enthusiasm, declaring "Digger" his favorite film of ’26. Hamilton praised its unique blend of Kubrickian intensity and Black Mirror-esque social commentary, describing it as a "surreal, weird, funny study on (human) nature and storytelling," with Cruise delivering one of his "career best" performances.
However, the critical landscape quickly becomes more complex. IndieWire editor Anne Thompson anticipates a strong showing for "Digger" at the Academy Awards, particularly in craft and acting categories, noting Riz Ahmed’s "fab" contribution. Yet, she predicts a significant divide among critics regarding Cruise’s portrayal and a potential disconnect with mainstream audiences, despite a "tour-de-force amphitheater scene" that might secure Cruise’s nomination. Film and TV journalist Scott Menzel found the pairing of Iñárritu and Cruise to be an "engaging and one of a kind experience," acknowledging Cruise’s comedic prowess and full commitment, even if the film itself felt "a bit disjointed." Menzel also singled out Ahmed for being "an absolute riot throughout."
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On the more critical side, Hoai-Tran Bui, senior entertainment editor at Inverse, expressed "very mixed" feelings, appreciating elements like Cruise’s performance while finding other aspects "absolutely insufferable." Journalist Mike Ryan, while acknowledging Cruise’s characteristic dedication to his role, struggled with certain plot choices, describing the overall experience as "generally unpleasant" and suggesting that Top Gun: Maverick handled similar meta-commentary on Cruise’s career more effectively. Matt Neglia, owner and editor-in-chief of Next Best Picture, recognized "Digger" as "Tom Cruise’s most dynamic and interesting role in years," praising its exceptional production design, cinematography, sound, and makeup. Nevertheless, he ultimately characterized the film as a "bizarre, self-admittedly unfunny, and boisterous warning" that lacked sufficient depth or humanity to truly resonate, concluding it was "less of a bang and more of a hollow misfire."
This initial wave of reactions undeniably validates the early Oscar buzz. Tom Cruise and Riz Ahmed, in particular, appear poised for Academy Award nominations, potentially securing Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor nods, respectively, even from critics who found other aspects of the film challenging. Iñárritu’s distinctive directorial vision also seems a strong contender for a Best Director nomination, alongside numerous craft categories like Production Design.
Beyond the awards circuit, however, the film’s journey promises to be contentious. The reactions suggest a deeply polarizing experience, with opinions ranging from fervent declarations of "masterpiece" to profound disappointment. Unlike Cruise’s recent global phenomenon, Top Gun: Maverick, which captivated a broad mainstream audience to the tune of $1.5 billion worldwide, "Digger" is clearly poised for a more specialized, perhaps even cult, appeal. Its release on October 2, 2026, will undoubtedly spark intense discussion within the film community, cementing its place as one of the year’s most talked-about cinematic events.
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