By Dr. Linda Gunshefski
I was eagerly anticipating Digger, a satirical movie with Tom Cruise cast as an archetypal oil baron. I’d been interested in seeing the movie since I first saw the trailer, but I hesitated to go to see it on its opening weekend. Critics were sharply divided. Some panned the writing, the acting, the directing and even the production. On Rotten Tomatoes, the critics rated the movie at 53% while audiences scored it at 74%. I scrolled through the audience comments and, to my surprise, they were overwhelmingly positive, mostly 4 and 5 stars. I decided to risk my $10 and go.
Digger did not disappoint. It is one of the most audacious movies I’ve seen in years. The movie’s main plot focuses on Digger Rockwell, an eccentric oil tycoon who is responsible for a drilling disaster that unfolds like a Rube Goldberg machine with catastrophic consequences for the planet. Tom Cruise fully embraces his role and does not hold back. His performance reminded me of his character Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder. In my opinion, Cruise is at his most interesting when he plays characters who are unappealing.
The movie is worth seeing simply based on Cruise’s performance.
Overall, I thought the movie was profound and funny, though some critics described Digger as baffling and unpleasant. An uncomfortable topic, climate change, is presented as satire. There is an intense scene where Digger painfully points the finger straight at the audience. The film makes fun of actors, directors, politicians and religion. Digger is clearly not trying to be a crowd-pleaser.
Digger was filmed in the United Kingdom from November 2024 to May 2025. The director, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, also directed Babel, The Revenant and Birdman. Like Birdman, Digger is a film about actors and theater that blurs the line between performance and reality. In Birdman, Iñárritu keeps viewers guessing until the final shot, while in Digger he shows his hand early on. Some critics described this early revelation as a flaw, and some audience reviewers described it as confusing. These are valid criticisms, but the twist did not spoil the movie for me. In my opinion, the film may simply be too challenging for some viewers, but those who enjoy thought-provoking cinema and satire will feel like they got their money’s worth.
I have an offbeat sense of humor; I find the final scene of Monty Python’s Life of Brian painfully funny. I like South Park and Married…with Children. If that sounds like you, you will enjoy this movie. If you need a laugh track to tell you what’s funny, you’re not going to like Digger. If I find something funny, I laugh; I can’t help it.
While watching Digger, I found myself laughing out loud frequently.
Digger reminded me of Dr. Strangelove, the classic satirical movie about nuclear annihilation. The comparison between Digger and Kubrick’s film is apt, as the absurdity of a tragedy frequently induces laughter. Strangelove was also controversial when released. Some critics described the film as brilliant, while others were disturbed or offended by it. Its reputation as a masterpiece came about gradually. My prediction is that Digger will end up a cult classic.
The movie has had lower-than-expected box-office returns. It was Warner Bros.’ last film release before the studio’s acquisition by Paramount. The movie may have been underpromoted. It is possible the merger left Digger without a champion to manage the tone of the post-release media coverage. According to iSpot, Warner Bros. spent only $7.6 million on national TV ads, less than the roughly $20 million typically spent for a wide-release movie with a major star.
Should you see Digger? My answer is yes.