The Stream: A lot of ideas and noise becomes sensory overload.
The Big Screen: Tom Cruise chewing scenery with the best of them!
The Final Bill: Overflowing from ambition and creativity, this movie is both entertaining and intriguing but may frustrate some by doing too much.
– Trip Fontaine
Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Writers: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Sabina Berman, Jez Butterworth, Alexander Dinelaris, Nicolás Giacobone
Stars: Tom Cruise, Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Rating: R for pervasive language
Runtime: 2 hours 2 minutes
Production Companies: Legendary Entertainment, Legendary Pictures, M Productions, TC Productions, Warner Bros.
Platform: In theaters October 2, 2026
Notable Trailers: Focker-in-Law, Elsinore, I Play Rocky, Paper Tiger, Clayface, Dune: Part 3
What’s up, Streamers?!?! I know you’ve seen Tom Cruise in “old man” makeup in the previews and posters for Digger, and you’ve said to yourself, “What the…?” Cruise has been in action hero mode for so long that it’s hard to remember when he last played a real character. Then, Alejandro G. Inarritu has directed some really audacious films like Birdman and The Revenant. So, what could Inarritu and Cruise covered in makeup be up to with this mysterious movie? In Digger, Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, a wealthy oil tycoon whose business decisions have led to a potentially apocalyptic disaster, and now, Digger has to figure his way out of it. Ignoring the advice of scientists and having the trust of a weak and ineffectual president of the United States, Digger has nearly free reign over the country’s response to this event. Shovels, a zombie cat, and a lot of yelling hijinks ensue!
Alejandro G. Inarritu, who directs and co-wrote Digger, has developed an ambitious and engrossing movie that is relentless, nearly from beginning to end. The plot of this movie is so big as to become overwhelming. There is a lot going on and so many layers to the story. There is a lot of dialogue being thrown at the audience that one could get lost. It is a loud movie because the characters are talking a lot and constantly that there is barely time to breathe – although I will say that it could use a good 10-15 minute edit. The movie makes a point about environmentalism, capitalism, power and corruption, and it is not subtle. It is endlessly entertaining, but I could see how some would find this annoying. Aesthetically, this movie is incredible. It beautiful and practical. There’s so much to see and so much going on – sensory overload is entirely possible. The ambition and bravado brought to this film is admirable, including its wall-to-wall production design and eye-catching cinematography.
Now, Tom Cruise is going for broke in this movie. He’s chewing scenery left and right as the character of Digger calls for it. It is so well-calibrated that the softer moments will catch you off guard. Cruise is a good actor when he is given something more than just running to play. Yes, this performance is over-the-top, he has so much dialogue and doesn’t miss a beat. Cruise needs to take more of these opportunities when they come his way. I’ll also shout out Riz Ahmed and John Goodman giving it their all in daffy performances. Ahmed, in particular, is really great in this movie and an outstanding counterpart to Cruise’s Digger.
This movie will generate a lot of conversation, and I can’t wait to hear from others about their thoughts. Leave a comment below!! (I thought a lot about Wes Anderson, Dr. Strangelove, Ari Aster and Beau is Afraid while watching this movie.)
Ultimately, Digger is a daring movie that takes a lot of big swings and connects on most of them. The plot is interesting, complex and engaging as it is overwhelmed with big ideas. It is aesthetically astounding – from its production design, cinematography and makeup. Tom Cruise leads a fun cast with a very big performance. Despite all of that, it might be too much for some viewers. In my opinion, grab a big box of popcorn and a shovel to dig your way through this complicated film experience.
