This movie is polarizing! Our META movie review of Digger
We'll tell you whether the movie starring Tom Cruise is any good – and break down what other critics have to say
In the run-up to its release, there was hardly a more enigmatic marketing campaign than the one for Alejandro González Iñárritu's latest film, "Digger". For months, the wildest speculations circulated online about what kind of movie was actually being made. Is it a classic drama, a over-the-top comedy, or perhaps a secret musical after all? The first official trailers did shed some light on the mystery, but they mainly elicited mixed reactions from the audience. Now the film is getting a regular theatrical release – and the initial reactions are anything but clear-cut. In our new KinoCheck META review, we'll tell you what "Digger", starring Tom Cruise, has to offer – and what other critics are saying about it.
Over-the-top, loud, and exhausting
At the center of the story is the unscrupulous oil tycoon Digger Rockwell, who triggers a massive environmental disaster. But instead of taking responsibility or listening to scientists, he hatches a ludicrous PR plan to cast himself as the savior of humanity.
In terms of content, the film is completely overloaded. Climate catastrophe, political corruption, and the conflict between profit-driven thinking and scientific reason are fired off at a rapid-fire pace. On top of that, viewers are literally bombarded with visual and auditory stimuli. "Digger" is loud, hectic, and incredibly exhausting. On top of that, the runtime – at just under 120 minutes – is clearly too long.
This movie is polarizing!
For many critics, one thing is clear: "Digger" is polarizing! Although the film has met with mostly mixed to negative reactions from the press, some voices are also enthusiastic about Iñárritu's new work. One of those voices is Brandon Zachary from Screen Rant magazine:
"However, the committed cast, strong production design, and whip-smart script make it all come together to be one of the most engaging and complex comedies of the year."
BBC editor Nicholas Barber praises not only the satirical elements but also the unpredictability of the screenplay:
"Judged purely a satire, then, 'Digger' is powerfully resonant. But there is more to it than that. The film has two high-concept twists which raise new questions about everything you've seen so far."
In our opinion, however, the screenplay is actually the film's biggest weakness. "Digger" is a meta-film through and through – albeit in a very exhausting way. In every single second, the film tries to be clever and as over-the-top as possible, but ultimately it's just clumsy. While watching, you can't help but wonder: Why do we even need this kind of film when reality is already absurd enough every day? Owen Gleiberman of Variety writes:
"Yet I'm not sure that 'Digger' is going to connect, because it's so full of itself – so top-heavy with importance."
But there's one thing you certainly can't accuse the film of: predictability. The script takes some very wild turns as it unfolds. Some will celebrate this, while others might even be annoyed by the absurd developments.
Technical highlights and a Tom Cruise at his best
On the technical side, however, there's hardly anything to fault the film for. The set design is meticulously detailed, and the cinematography is masterful. We have once again to thank Emmanuel Lubezki for the latter, who previously collaborated with Iñárritu on "Birdman" and "The Revenant". Another plus: Tom Cruise's performance. Although the Hollywood star is barely recognizable behind his mask, he makes the most of his role.
Otherwise, the film features a number of other high-profile names. Among others, we get to see John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, and "House of the Dragon" actress Emma D'Arcy. Compared to Cruise, however, the other actors seem rather lackluster.
Our Verdict
In the end, "Digger" is mainly one thing: one of the biggest disappointments of the 2026 movie year. Instead of a biting satire, Alejandro G. Iñárritu serves up a loud, exhausting, and thematically overloaded meta-commentary that thinks it's smarter than it actually is. Still want to form your own opinion? The film hits theaters on October 2, 2026.
