Del Toro Defends 'Digger' Amid Box Office Collapse

Key points

• Guillermo del Toro defended 'Digger' on X, calling it 'daring, bold and cinematically complex' and a 'theatrical experience.'
• The film, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and starring Tom Cruise, has received mixed reviews and poor box office results.
• Del Toro compared the negative reception of 'Digger' to past films like 'The Big Lebowski' and 'The King of Comedy' that were later reevaluated as masterpieces.
• Tom Cruise also posted on X in support of the film, expressing pride in the project.
• The film is currently at 51% on Rotten Tomatoes and is expected to gross around $7.5 million in its opening weekend.

Background

Guillermo del Toro and Alejandro G. Iñárritu have been friends for decades and frequently collaborate or support each other’s projects. Del Toro is known for advocating for the theatrical experience and has previously defended controversial films. 'Digger' is a Warner Bros. release that has faced significant criticism and poor box office performance, with some critics calling it 'excessive' and 'overbearing.'

How outlets are covering it

Del Toro and Tom Cruise have both publicly defended 'Digger' on social media, with del Toro calling it a 'theatrical experience' and Cruise expressing pride in the project. Critics, however, have been largely negative, with some calling the film 'excessive' and 'overbearing.' The A.V. Club’s Monica Castillo criticized the film’s environmental message, while Variety’s Owen Gleiberman called it 'top-heavy with importance.' IGN’s review suggested that the theater experience would not change viewers’ minds about the film.

Why it matters

The controversy surrounding 'Digger' highlights the ongoing debate about the value of the theatrical experience and the role of critical reception in shaping a film’s success. Del Toro’s defense of the film underscores the importance of supporting controversial or polarizing works, while the poor box office performance raises questions about the future of big-budget films in a changing market.

What to watch

The film is expected to continue struggling at the box office, with estimates of around $7.5 million in its opening weekend. Del Toro and other supporters may continue to advocate for the film, while critics and audiences will likely continue to debate its merits. The film’s performance may also influence future decisions about big-budget releases and the role of critical reception in shaping a film’s success.