Tom Cruise's 'Digger' Divides Critics as Bold Eco-Satire Faces Box Office and Awards Uncertainty

Key points

• The film, set to release on October 2, features Cruise as a paunchy, balding Texan oil tycoon named Digger Rockwell, a stark departure from his usual action-hero roles.
• Critics are split on the film's quality, with some praising its bold aesthetic and Cruise's performance, while others dismiss it as a miscalculation and a potential box office flop.
• The film's polarizing reception has led to a sharp drop in Cruise's and Iñárritu's 2027 Oscar odds, with many critics dismissing it as a misfire.
• Warner Bros. is preparing for a difficult release, with early box office projections suggesting a weak opening and raising concerns about the film's commercial viability.

Background

Tom Cruise's 'Digger' has generated sharply divided critical reactions following early press screenings. While critics praise the film's bold aesthetic and Cruise's performance, many predict poor audience reception and box office returns. The film, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, is set to release in theaters on October 2. The polarizing reception has also led to a sharp drop in Cruise's and Iñárritu's 2027 Oscar odds, with many critics dismissing it as a misfire. Warner Bros. is preparing for a difficult release, with early box office projections suggesting a weak opening and raising concerns about the film's commercial viability. Additionally, Cruise revealed on the New Heights podcast that the extensive head-to-toe prosthetics for his role originally required about six hours of makeup per day, but he pushed the glam team to streamline the process, cutting the daily prep to under an hour.

How outlets are covering it

The BBC's Nicholas Barber praises 'Digger' as a 'love-it-or-hate-it folly' and a 'bizarre, hectoring, conceptually challenging eco-satire,' noting that Cruise's performance is 'gargantuan' and 'convincing.' He argues that the film's scenario, while over-the-top, is now plausible and that the film is 'powerfully resonant' as a satire. The Guardian's review, however, is far more critical, calling 'Digger' the 'most disappointing film of the year' and an 'exasperatingly shallow, laborious, self-congratulatory satire.' The reviewer argues that the film's 'shrill, scratchy characterisations' and 'glib and overblown' tone make it a 'postmodern hole.' AP News describes the film as a 'Dr. Strangelove for the climate change era,' suggesting it is a bold but potentially flawed attempt to address a major issue. Rolling Stone's David Fear calls the film a 'wild, ambitious' but 'messy, ungainly' satire, noting that it is 'impossible to simply dismiss as a mistake, and equally impossible to declare that it works in almost any capacity.' He argues that the film's 'mixed messaging' and 'all-caps TOM CRUISE IN LOONEY TUNES MODE' make it a difficult watch. The archive articles provide background on the film's polarizing reception, the drop in Oscar odds, and Cruise's efforts to streamline the makeup process for his role.

Why it matters

The film's polarizing reception and potential box office failure raise questions about the viability of bold, satirical films in the current market. It also highlights the challenges faced by A-list stars like Tom Cruise when attempting to make a significant artistic statement. The film's potential as an Oscar contender is also in doubt, with many critics dismissing it as a misfire. The film's release will be a test of audience appetite for bold, satirical films and the willingness of studios to back such projects.

What to watch

The film will be released in theaters on October 2. The box office performance and audience reception will be key indicators of the film's success. The film's potential as an Oscar contender will also be a major factor in its long-term legacy. The film's release will also be a test of the viability of bold, satirical films in the current market.