Entertainment · Film · 3 hrs ago
Ben Affleck criticizes celebrations of ‘Digger’ box office failure
Ben Affleck has criticized people who are celebrating the poor box office performance of “Digger.”
He spoke about the film during an interview on Josh Horowitz’s “Happy Sad Confused” podcast.
“Digger,” a black comedy directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and starring Tom Cruise, opened in theaters on Oct.
2.
The film has divided critics and earned just over $35 million worldwide so far.
It is projected to lose $250 million by the end of its run, though that projection may not hold.
Affleck called the celebration of its failure a form of “high school bullying” and said the film was an ambitious risk.
He warned that punishing movies for taking risks could lead to more formulaic films.
Ben Affleck criticized people celebrating the box office failure of the film “Digger.”
He said the film was ambitious and made by talented people, despite its poor box office performance.
Affleck warned that punishing films for taking risks could lead to “homogenized movies.”
Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and starring Tom Cruise, “Digger” was released on Oct. 2.
The film had made just over $35 million worldwide and was projected to lose $250 million by the end of its run.
- Who
- Ben Affleck criticized the response to “Digger.
- What
- He objected to people celebrating the film’s box office struggles and said movies that take risks should not be punished.
- When
- Affleck made the comments during a podcast interview published on Oct. 12, 2026.
- Where
- On the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, hosted by Josh Horowitz.
- Why
- He said punishing movies that take risks could lead to homogenized films.
Ben Affleck
People celebrating “Digger”’s box office failure
Celebration of the film’s performance
Ben Affleck
Affleck said people were treating the film’s box office failure as something to celebrate.
People celebrating “Digger”’s box office failure
They wanted to celebrate the film’s box office failure.
Risk-taking in filmmaking
Ben Affleck
Affleck said movies that take risks should not be punished.
People celebrating “Digger”’s box office failure
Not stated.
Digger” hit theaters.
Affleck’s “Happy Sad Confused” interview was published, including his criticism of people celebrating the film’s box office struggles.
- Director
- Alejandro González Iñárritu
- Star
- Tom Cruise
- Release date
- Oct. 2
- Worldwide box office to date
- Just over $35 million
- Projected loss by end of run
- $250 million
What people are saying
This is a pretty ambitious, interesting movie made by interesting people that have talent.
if you punish movies that take risks, guess what you’re going to get? A bunch of s—tty homogenized movies.
You cannot do something interesting without taking a big swing.










