Reviews have emerged for 'Digger,' a new film from director Alejandro G. Iñárritu starring Tom Cruise as an oil tycoon whose irresponsible drilling causes a global crisis, according to The Guardian and The Hollywood Reporter. The film also features Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg and Jesse Plemons, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Critical reaction has been mixed to negative among several outlets. The Hollywood Reporter and The Guardian both described the eco-satire as shallow and self-congratulatory, with The Guardian calling it 'the most disappointing film of the year' despite praising moments of Cruise's performance.
Deadline offered a notably more positive take, calling the film 'surprising and urgent' and noting it is unlike other major studio releases in recent memory, according to Deadline. The outlet also noted the film comes from Warner Bros., which it described as willing to take creative risks with big budgets.
Right-leaning outlets were also divided. The Telegraph called it 'the most bonkers film of the year,' while The Times said Cruise 'fails spectacularly' in what it described as a 'cloth-eared climate satire.'
How each side covered it
Left
- The Hollywood Reporter and The Guardian both criticized the film as shallow and self-congratulatory.
- The Guardian called it 'the most disappointing film of the year' despite praising elements of Cruise's performance.
- The Hollywood Reporter detailed the ensemble cast including Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg and Jesse Plemons.
“an exasperatingly shallow, laborious, self-congratulatory satire with a trick up its sleeve” — The Guardian
Center
- Deadline praised the film as 'surprising and urgent,' distinguishing it from other major studio releases.
- Deadline noted the film comes from Warner Bros., which it said takes creative risks with big-budget films.
- France 24 described Cruise as trading stunts for satire in playing a 'toxic tycoon.'
“Digger is unlike any film coming from a major Hollywood studio in years, at least in my memory.” — Deadline
Right
- The Telegraph called 'Digger' 'the most bonkers film of the year.'
- The Times said Cruise 'fails spectacularly' in what it called a 'cloth-eared climate satire.'
“Tom Cruise's Digger is the most bonkers film of the year” — The Telegraph
Questions readers ask
What is 'Digger' about?
According to The Guardian and The Hollywood Reporter, 'Digger' is a dark comedy about an oil tycoon played by Tom Cruise whose irresponsible drilling causes a global crisis.
Who directed and stars in 'Digger'?
The film is directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and stars Tom Cruise, with a supporting cast that The Hollywood Reporter says includes Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg and Jesse Plemons.
How have critics reacted to 'Digger'?
Reactions are mixed: The Guardian and The Hollywood Reporter criticized it as shallow and self-congratulatory, Deadline called it surprising and urgent, and right-leaning outlets The Telegraph and The Times offered conflicting takes, calling it both 'bonkers' and a spectacular failure.
What did left- and right-leaning outlets focus on?
Left-leaning outlets The Guardian and The Hollywood Reporter emphasized the film's perceived shallowness as a satire, while right-leaning outlets The Telegraph and The Times gave conflicting verdicts, one calling it bizarre and the other calling it a failure as climate satire.
Sources · 16 outlet reports
- Associated PressLeft-leaning'Digger' review: A 'Dr. Strangelove' for the climate change era
- Los Angeles TimesLeft-leaningReview: Tom Cruise destroys Earth in 'Digger,' a messy climate satire that occasionally strikes gold
- Rolling StoneLeft-leaningIt’s the End of the World as We Know It, and Tom Cruise Feels Weird
- The Daily BeastLeft-leaning‘Digger’: Tom Cruise Loses the Plot in Desperate Bid for Oscar Glory
- The GuardianLeft-leaningDigger review – Tom Cruise’s loudmouth oil tycoon goes hard in Alejandro G Iñárritu’s eco-satire
- The Hollywood ReporterLeft-leaning‘Digger’ Review: Tom Cruise and Alejandro G. Iñárritu Are a Match Made in Showboating Hell in a Shallow Satire Insufferably Pleased With Itself
- VarietyLeft-leaning‘Digger’ Review: As a Texas Oil Tycoon, Tom Cruise Goes Over the Top in Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Bombastically Self-Important Satire
- BBC NewsCenterDigger review: Tom Cruise takes the 'biggest risk of his career' in this 'love-it-or-hate-it' folly ★★★★☆
- DeadlineCenter‘Digger’ Review: Tom Cruise Explodes In Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Surprising And Urgent Disaster Movie Satire
- ForbesCenter‘Digger’ Rotten Tomatoes Reviews Mostly Bury Tom Cruise’s Apocalyptic Satire
- France 24CenterTom Cruise trades stunts for satire as toxic tycoon 'Digger'
- The Irish TimesCenterDigger review: Tom Cruise can’t be faulted for effort. But it’s still wasted
- UPICenterMovie review: Tom Cruise leads relentless 'Digger' farce
- New York PostRight-leaning‘Digger’ review: Tom Cruise’s laugh-free turd will have audiences stampeding out
- The TelegraphRight-leaningTom Cruise’s Digger is the most bonkers film of the year
- The TimesRight-leaningDigger review — Tom Cruise fails spectacularly in cloth-eared climate satire