Title – Digger (2026)

Director – Alejandro G. Iñárritu (The Revenant)

Cast – Tom Cruise, John Goodman, Riz Ahmed, Sandra Hüller, Jesse Plemons

Plot – Powerful American oil tycoon and businessman Digger Rockwell (Cruise) must help save the day when a project his company oversees causes a potentially catastrophic global emergency.

“When all else fails, you hit ’em with the truth”

Review by Eddie on 05/10/2026

Very quickly becoming one of Hollywood legend Tom Cruise’s most brutally reviewed films and an instant box office disaster as the last standalone release from the iconic Warner Brothers brand before it moves into a new ownership era, Academy Award winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s big-budgeted swing Digger is a film you suspect will be spoken about in the years to come for a variety of reasons both good and bad.

A mysterious project that has been shrouded in secrecy as it drew closer to release, I’m able to report the film is indeed not a musical as some internet chatter had suggested, Digger is the type of wild and original big-budgeted operation that many bemoan we don’t get enough of, which makes Digger’s instant failure to connect all the more disappointing, as what Iñárritu and Cruise have created here is brilliant black comedy/social satire and structured film that deserves a far better reception than its received.

Whenever something takes a big of a leap of faith as Digger has here, it’s inevitable that it’s going to strike out as much as it hits a home run with viewers and there’s clear elements of the film, including some seriously unexpected narrative structures, that are going to alienate unsuspecting audience goers but there’s an undeniably impressive craft on display in Iñárritu’s vision, that includes a swathe of awards worthy turns that will most likely be sadly overlooked come the soon to arrive awards season.

Front and centre to this whole mad-cap escapade, which many have accused of being “too on the nose” which showcases there’s a large bunch of reviewers/viewers missing the point entirely, is a prosthetic clad grandiose performance from Cruise who channels similar energy to his Les Grossman Tropic Thunder performance to unleash one of his most impressive turns yet in a glittering career that’s stood the test of time.

Here bringing to life the character of Texan oil tycoon and billion-dollar businessman Digger Rockwell, Cruise has an absolute blast getting to fill the cowboy boots of an aging cat-loving madman in Iñárritu’s venture and whether he’s telling a room full of government officials what to do or pleading with his veterinarians, Cruise is simply incredible here.

Getting to witness the icon dominate the landscape in the films showstopping parliamentary segment that was glimpsed in the films trailers, where Rockwell pleads the case of his business empire in its role in a world altering global disaster is more than enough proof to prove that Cruise should be in the awards conversation this year, while at the same time showcasing the sadly overlooked genius of Iñárritu’s divisive film.

Surrounded by notable supporting turns from the likes of the increasingly impressive Riz Ahmed as one of Rockwell’s senior employees Ganesh, a hilarious John Goodman as hapless American president Compson and Jesse Plemons as the integral Kenny, Digger’s ensemble all seemed to have got the memo that a lot of viewers have missed, helping create an enthralling funny but also depressingly real take on modern society that seems doomed to hurtle towards a particular outcome.

As technically and aesthetically great as you’d expect from an Iñárritu production, thanks to the work of DOP Emmanuel Lubezki, composer Cosmo Sheldrake and notable production design and art direction teams, Digger is a film that was worthy of being appreciated on the big screen but is now likely to find its commendations and rewards in the years to come as this big, unique and entertaining beast stands out as an operation worthy of being sought out.

Final Say –

Undoubtedly the most undervalued and misevaluated Hollywood release of 2026, Digger is a highly entertaining and expertly performed blockbuster that is unlike anything you’ve seen before. While missing in certain moments/areas but hitting some big home runs along the way, here’s hoping Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s vision finds its rightful evaluation in the future.

4 1/2 oversized belt buckles out of 5