Tom Cruise’s ‘Digger’ Faces Mixed Reviews and Low Rotten Tomatoes Score
Tom Cruise is no stranger to films that spark conversation. Typically, this involves thrilling action sequences, daring stunts, and Cruise sprinting at full throttle. However, his latest project, ‘Digger’, is charting a different course, and the initial responses are notably polarized.
Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, ‘Digger’ features Cruise as Digger Rockwell, a peculiar and affluent oil tycoon who triggers an environmental catastrophe and then resolves to rectify it. The film also stars Riz Ahmed and John Goodman. Rated R, it was shot entirely in VistaVision, with a reported production budget of around $125 million.
The film’s debut on Rotten Tomatoes was less than favorable. ‘Digger’ opened with a 52% Tomatometer score based on 17 reviews, marking it as Cruise’s lowest-rated film on the platform in nearly a decade. The audience score has yet to be released.
Initially, the movie started with a 49% rating, but this figure quickly fluctuated. As more reviews came in, the score adjusted to 50% from 50 reviews. Another update indicated that with 60 reviews, the film remained at a median score, with critics nearly evenly split on its unconventional style.
Supporters of the film are vocal, with Los Angeles Times critic Amy Nicholson offering a positive review, calling Digger Rockwell Cruise’s “riskiest role in eons.” Another reviewer highlighted Cruise’s performance as his best since ‘Magnolia’.
Conversely, negative critiques are also prominent. The Wrap’s William Bibbiani likened the film to a lackluster Saturday Night Live sketch with a hefty budget. Variety’s Clayton Davis acknowledged the cast and the film’s ambition but felt some concepts fell flat.
The divide was evident following the movie’s London premiere on September 22. Early online reactions varied widely, with some viewers celebrating its boldness and uniqueness, while others criticized it as chaotic and overly pretentious.
IndieWire’s Anne Thompson was among those who appreciated Iñárritu’s vision, describing the film as a “brave and gorgeous art film” and suggesting it might resonate more with awards voters than general audiences. Early viewers have also noted Cruise’s performance and the film’s production design.
The pressing question remains whether audiences will align with critics’ views. The film reportedly needs to gross over $300 million globally to recoup its costs, including marketing. Early box office projections are not promising, with estimates suggesting a domestic opening below $20 million.
A new trailer for ‘DIGGER’ has been released.
In theaters October 2. pic.twitter.com/kTEeFZI14E
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) September 9, 2026
Warner Bros. is set to release ‘Digger’ in North American theaters and IMAX on October 2, with international screenings beginning September 30. This timeline provides the film ample opportunity to attract an audience, but the mixed reviews suggest that word of mouth could significantly influence its success.
For Cruise, this film represents an intriguing shift in his career. He is moving away from the massive action blockbusters that have defined his career, taking on a more unconventional character in a film that clearly aims to convey a unique message.
The Rotten Tomatoes score may continue to evolve as more reviews come in. For now, however, ‘Digger’ has ignited the kind of debate that could entice viewers to purchase tickets. Whether audiences embrace Cruise’s eccentric new role or leave the theater puzzled could determine the fate of this unconventional film.
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