Archive · 30 Sep 2026
Digger Divides Critics as Warner Bros Embraces Mixed Reviews
Digger is a new movie starring Tom Cruise.
Critics cannot agree on whether it is excellent or unpleasant to watch.
Some reviewers called it “brilliant” and “magnificent.”
Others described it as “baffling” and “insufferable.”
Warner Bros made an advertisement showing both kinds of opinions.
The advert tells people to decide what they think for themselves.
The movie is about an oil tycoon whose drilling causes a major environmental disaster.
Digger is scheduled to reach cinemas on 2 October.
Tom Cruise’s Digger has received sharply divided reactions, ranging from “brilliant” to “baffling.”
Warner Bros is using both praise and criticism in an advert urging audiences to “decide for yourself.”
The film has a 52% Tomatometer score and a 33% score among Rotten Tomatoes Top Critics.
Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, Digger stars Cruise, Riz Ahmed, Sandra Hüller, John Goodman and Jesse Plemons.
Digger follows an oil tycoon attempting to address an environmental disaster caused by his own drilling operation.
- Who
- Tom Cruise stars in Digger, which is directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and also features Riz Ahmed, Sandra Hüller, John Goodman and Jesse Plemons.
- What
- Digger has divided critics, and Warner Bros is highlighting the disagreement in its marketing.
- When
- The film is scheduled for release on 2 October; its early reviews were published after the social media embargo was lifted.
- Where
- Digger is set partly around Greenland and Europe and will be released in cinemas.
- Why
- The disagreement centers on the film’s unusual style and story, while its plot concerns an environmental disaster caused by oil drilling.
Positive reception
Negative reception
Overall quality
Positive reception
Some critics praised Digger as “brilliant,” “magnificent” and “the most bonkers film of the year.”
Negative reception
Other critics called it “baffling,” “insufferable” or “a torturous experience.”
Unusual style
Positive reception
Supportive responses described the film as adventurous, strange and exciting, with one critic feeling “giddy” that it had been made.
Negative reception
Critical responses found the film’s strange comedy unsuccessful, with one reviewer saying it arrived “with all the force of a light breeze.”
Audience judgment
Positive reception
Warner Bros presents the strongly positive reactions as evidence that some viewers may find the film distinctive and compelling.
Negative reception
Warner Bros also presents the harsh reviews, acknowledging that other viewers may find the same film frustrating or unpleasant.
- Director
- Alejandro González Iñárritu
- Lead star
- Tom Cruise
- Rotten Tomatoes score
- 52% Tomatometer, with an average rating of 6.1 out of 10
- Rotten Tomatoes Top Critics
- 33% from 39 reviews
- Metacritic score
- 44 out of 100 from 41 critics
- Release date
- 2 October
- Marketing message
- Warner Bros ends its advertisement with “Same film, different truth.”