Digger Spoiler-free Review

by Dean and Cineman

DEAN

I woke up early on Sunday morning, had a cappuccino and was locked in for Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s latest cinematic gift. I only watched one trailer for Digger and wasn’t really sure what to make of it. It felt a lot like Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove, but for a new generation. A satire set in war rooms with some offbeat characters, stumbling their way into making important global decisions. I’ve been a fan of Iñárritu for a while, with Birdman, Babel and The Revenant showcasing exactly what the man can do. But this time, he’s got Mr. Cinema (not an official nickname), Tom Cruise as the lead and that intrigued me.

Tom Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, an aging, pompous oil tycoon, who tries to save humanity from a disaster that he pretty much caused. Tom Cruise having to wear extensive make up to portray a man in his 60s when Tom Cruise himself is in his 60s, tells you a lot about the man’s health and fitness regimen. Every now and then Cruise will do a role that doesn’t involve running or stunts, and I’m always here for it – especially when it’s a comedic role. His performance in this is stellar, as is the rest of the cast. Riz Ahmed was the particular standout for me. John Goodman is also so good, man. (Sorry). Sandra Hüller and Jesse Plemons are always incredible. Everyone pulled in with a great performance and I was in awe of all of them.

The cinematography was a big standout in this, as Iñárritu reunites with Emmanuel Lubezki whom he worked with on The Revenant and Birdman. No shots were wasted. It was beautifully shot from start to finish. There’s a monologue in this that is one continuous shot and it’s executed perfectly. I can’t say too much about the content of the film itself as it does have some twists that I didn’t expect, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I know the reactions have been mixed, but I guess while watching this, I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb. (wink).

Dean’s Rating: 8/10

CINEMAN

If the amazing cast, director and cinematographer aren’t enough to get your attention, the film itself certainly will. Digger is a lot of things. Bombastic, satirical, funny, over the top, gross and, and very weird. Whether you’ll love it or hate it probably depends heavily on your taste and the kind of films you enjoy, because this is very much a film doing its own thing.

I’ll admit, at first I was put off. I found myself wondering why we need another story, even a satirical one, centred around terrible people. But the more I watched, the more I realised that’s partly the point. Iñárritu is operating on another level here, acutely aware of our expectations and reservations and is ready to address, challenge and subvert them. Digger demands your attention and commands you to keep watching regardless of how you might feel about what you’re seeing.

The film is beautifully shot and wonderfully acted, with Tom Cruise giving what could be a career-defining performance that’s miles away from Mission Impossible. He’s surrounded by a phenomenal ensemble who are completely committed to the wild experiment Iñárritu is conducting. I was especially thrilled to see Sophie Wilde, having really enjoyed Talk to Me. It’s great to see her continuing to thrive. Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Jesse Plemons and Emma D’Arcy all bring something distinctive to the madness.

Visually, Digger is phenomenal. The cinematography is gorgeous, while the production design and sets have plenty of their own layers to uncover. There’s also something particularly interesting about the score, with several original pieces that I’ll definitely be adding to my playlist.

Real talk, Digger won’t be for everyone. It’s a singular vision, a strange experiment and a very unique story that occasionally feels like it’s deliberately testing your patience. But that’s also what makes it interesting. Love it or hate it, this is the kind of film worth experiencing on the big screen.

Cineman’s Rating: 7/10

Digger is in cinemas now, starting Friday 02 October 2026. Check out the trailer below.

Overall Team Rating: 7.5/10

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