Tom Cruise’s upcoming film Digger has received its first reactions, and the response is far from unanimous. Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s ambitious satire is being praised by several critics for its visual scale and Cruise’s committed performance, while others have described the movie as messy, baffling or even a misfire. The divided response makes Digger one of the more unpredictable major releases heading into the fall movie season.
The film is scheduled to arrive in theaters on October 2, 2026, with Warner Bros. also planning IMAX screenings.
What Is Tom Cruise’s ‘Digger’ About?
Digger stars Cruise as Digger Rockwell, an immensely powerful oil tycoon whose drilling operation triggers an environmental catastrophe. After his actions threaten to unleash a global disaster, Digger becomes determined to convince the world that he can also be the person capable of saving humanity.
The movie marks Iñárritu’s first feature since The Revenant and takes Cruise far away from the familiar action-star territory of Mission: Impossible and Top Gun. The ensemble includes Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg and Jesse Plemons. According to the film’s official website, Iñárritu co-wrote the screenplay with Alexander Dinelaris, Nicolás Giacobone and Sabina Berman.
Cruise has also undergone a major transformation for the role, with the character’s unusual appearance becoming one of the film’s most talked-about elements ahead of release.
Critics Are Divided, But Cruise Is Getting Attention
The strongest point of agreement among the early reactions appears to be Cruise himself. Several critics have singled out the actor for fully embracing the eccentricity of Digger, with some suggesting that the performance could become an awards-season talking point.
Scott Menzel described the pairing of Cruise and Iñárritu as an “engaging and one of a kind experience,” while praising Cruise for committing completely to the material. TheWrap also highlighted the actor’s ability to handle the movie’s unusual comedic elements.
Matt Neglia of Next Best Picture called it “Tom Cruise’s most dynamic and interesting role in years,” although he argued that the film’s ambitious structure does not always give the performance enough emotional depth. His reaction reflects the larger divide surrounding Digger, with praise for its ambition frequently accompanied by criticism of its storytelling.
Other early responses have been considerably harsher. Some critics have questioned whether the satire successfully balances its absurd humor with its environmental and political themes, while others have found the movie deliberately strange but ultimately rewarding.
‘Digger’ Could Become One of 2026’s Most Divisive Movies
The reaction to Iñárritu’s latest film is also being shaped by its technical achievements. Early viewers have praised the production design, cinematography, sound work and Cruise’s transformation, with Emmanuel Lubezki serving as cinematographer. The movie was shot entirely in VistaVision, adding to its unusually large-scale presentation.
Cruise previously described the project as something that challenged him in an unusual way. Speaking about the film, he said, “I have never had something that could challenge me in this way and neither has Alejandro.”
With Digger arriving October 2, audiences will soon determine whether its unconventional approach becomes a strength or its biggest weakness. For now, the early consensus is clear on only one point: Iñárritu and Cruise have made a film that is taking a very large swing.
