It has been a tough start to life for Alejandro González Iñárritu’s dark satire Digger. It has received wildly mixed reviews across the board. At the current state of play, it’s going to need a miracle to be able to dig out a profit. After watching the film, I now understand why it was unable to be marketed as the film it really is. It is so difficult to discuss this film without spoiling it, so I do urge you to just go see it for yourself.
Overall, I absolutely loved Digger, and found the payoffs as the layers of the film were unravelled to be very satisfying. Tom Cruise gives a career-best performance as Digger Rockwell and I sincerely hope it lands him his first, long-awaited Oscar win. Cruise’s charisma and ego are perfectly blended and give the film a real drive and soul. The parliament scene was the most impactful moment (apart from the ending, which I will not spoil), as Cruise goes full maniacal capitalist overlord.
Cruise’s charisma and ego are perfectly blended and give the film a real drive and soul.
The damning indictment of the state of the world and the ignorance in the face of climate disaster really hits home, and this core theme is excellently carried through when the full story is unveiled. Additionally, Riz Ahmed and John Goodman are both hilarious in their supporting roles as Iñárritu parodies the fragile state of American politics.
However, I can somewhat understand where the criticism is coming from. It is certainly a big swing and Iñárritu does not do much hand-holding. You have to lean into the confusion and disbelief in the beginning for the build-up to pay off. Ultimately, I think this film will reach cult favourite status and Cruise’s performance will rightfully live long in the memory.
