‘Digger’ Star Ben Affleck Defends Film Against Backlash Warns of Blander Hollywood

Hollywood is known for its love of comeback stories, yet it can be ruthless when a major film falters. Box office failures are dissected online almost immediately, and the larger the budget, the louder the criticism. This is the environment that Alejandro González Iñárritu’s ‘Digger’ has encountered since its release.

Starring Tom Cruise as Digger Rockwell, an aging oil tycoon whose drilling triggers an ecological catastrophe, the film was marketed as a comedy of disastrous proportions. It also marked Iñárritu’s first English-language project since ‘The Revenant’. Cruise, who produced the film, even commended Warner Bros. executives for greenlighting it without a completed script.

The reception has been harsh. ‘Digger’ debuted to a mere $8 million domestically on October 2, plummeting 60% in its second weekend, and has only grossed around $35 million globally. In response to the backlash, Ben Affleck has come forward to defend the film, likening the reaction to high school bullying.

Affleck shared his thoughts during an appearance on Josh Horowitz’s ‘Happy Sad Confused’ podcast, reflecting on his own career. He pointed out that many seem eager to revel in a film’s failure, treating it as the most thrilling event, despite it being an ambitious and intriguing project created by talented individuals. He also highlighted that some critics hadn’t even seen the film.

His main concern revolves around the implications of such reactions. Affleck warned that if audiences and critics continue to penalize films that take risks, Hollywood will inevitably produce a slew of homogenized content. He emphasized that creating something unique often requires bold moves, which can sometimes lead to failure.

Affleck’s defense is rooted in his own experiences. He compared the current backlash to the negative public perception he faced in the mid-2000s. He noted that there is a significant difference between being an unknown and being a well-known figure who is disliked.

This context adds weight to his remarks. Affleck understands what it feels like to be a target of public ridicule, especially as he now directs and stars in his own upcoming film, ‘Animals’. One commentator pointed out that while it’s possible to dislike ‘Digger’, it’s also important to recognize that an R-rated, star-driven auteur project is precisely the type of film audiences claim to want more of.

BREAKING: Tom Cruise Just Dropped The First Full Trailer For Digger This Is Not A Drill I Repeat, This Is Not A Drill https://t.co/xwftlE6gnB

— Cinema Tweets (@CinemaTweets1) July 13, 2026

The financial outlook for ‘Digger’ is grim. Reports indicate budgets ranging from $125 million to $180 million, with Warner Bros. estimating the breakeven point to be around $300 million, though some sources suggest it could be as high as $350 million. Estimates of the potential loss vary between $150 million and $245 million.

The film’s opening was the lowest for a Cruise-led project in nearly two decades, falling short of the studio’s expectations of $18 million to $20 million. This release also marks Warner Bros.’ final film before the acquisition by Paramount Skydance was finalized.

The marketing campaign attempted to address the divide by showcasing both positive and negative reviews, labeling it as a ‘masterpiece’ next to ‘unpleasant’, encouraging audiences to form their own opinions. Reviews have been mixed, with some of the harshest critiques directed at the film’s tone.

Even Iñárritu seemed aware of the challenges ahead. At CinemaCon, he described the film as a high-wire act, a sentiment that appears prescient in hindsight. Cruise, known for his previous successes like ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ and ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’, has a reputation for being a risk-taker.

Affleck’s remarks prompt a critical discussion about how the industry treats original, ambitious films. With studios increasingly relying on sequels and franchises, a high-profile failure can make executives more risk-averse. Whether ‘Digger’ will be reevaluated in the future or remembered as a cautionary tale, the dialogue it has ignited is undeniably significant.

It’s also important to acknowledge that facing criticism is part of the territory for those who aim high. However, Affleck’s assertion is that celebrating failure does not equate to holding creative work accountable.