Digger is finally out in theaters, and it…sounds like a lot. Impressions are all over the place from fans and critics alike; some thinking it’s an ambitious (and flawed) masterpiece from Alejandro G. Iñárritu and others calling it something so strange that it has to be a bad joke on the audience.
At time of writing, that divisive split shows in its box office, which is coming below projections and looking like the lowest open of Tom Cruise’s storied career. Despite that, Cruise has been all smiles and pride on social media, sharing photos of the cast and crew during production.
“I am so honored to have had the opportunity to create this film alongside such talented artists,” he wrote. “Thank you to the entire cast and crew for your dedication, hard work, and joy. The experience was truly unforgettable and I’m so proud of what we created.” Warner Bros.’ social media team has also decided to lean into the mixed reception, telling audiences to head to the theaters to make their own opinions.
DIGGER is officially in theaters and I am so honored to have had the opportunity to create this film alongside such talented artists. Thank you to the entire cast and crew for your dedication, hard work, and joy. The experience was truly unforgettable and I’m so proud of what we… pic.twitter.com/3YBblCnL3E
— Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) October 3, 2026
Find out for yourself. DIGGER – in theaters and IMAX TOMORROW. Tickets on sale now. https://t.co/Z1IpSpFnXd#DiggerMovie pic.twitter.com/XPK9BEcPvH
— Warner Bros. (@warnerbros) October 1, 2026
Not every major movie acknowledges its split audience, but Digger’s coming out in unusual circumstances. Paramount will own Warner Bros. in a few days, making this the 103-year-old studio’s pre-Skydance movie. Teaming with Iñárritu and WB was meant to signal a change for Cruise’s career after a long tenure of Mission: Impossible, opening the door to stretch his legs and try some new things.
That kind of baggage understandably hangs over Digger, and it may help explain why some more positive viewers are going to bat for it. Frankenstein director Guillermo del Toro said it “delivers in scale, ambition and reach at a theatrical screen level. Daring, bold and Cinematically complex.”
Conversely, Roma director Alfonso Cuarón posted review excerpts of now classic films like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Under the Skin, and Blade Runner, contrasting mixed or negative impressions from their initial releases to how they’re generally regarded nowadays. Granted, Cuarón and del Toro have extra incentive to put their shields up for Iñárritu, as they’re all friends (collectively known as “the Three Amigos”) and co-founded Cha Cha Cha Films, a studio that’s produced del Toro’s Trollhunters series and Iñárritu’s 2010 film Biutiful.
— Alfonso Cuaron (@alfonsocuaron) October 3, 2026
Even so, there does seem to exist a portion of people who can appreciate Digger for what it is. Time will tell whether the rest of the world eventually gets on their wavelength or if Iñárritu and Cruise will get any awards recognition for what they set out to do. Until then, all that can be done is watching it to see what all the fuss is about and figuring out what side of the shovel you fall on. Just don’t go into it expecting a musical.
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