Director Alejandro González Iñárritu has acknowledged that his latest film, "Digger," starring Tom Cruise, is "not perfect" following its critical panning and disappointing opening weekend box office performance. The acclaimed filmmaker, known for his daring cinematic approaches, stated in a recent interview that he embraces the polarizing nature of his work, preferring it to a "lukewarm reception."
"I think definitely it’s an uncommon film. It’s a provoking film," Iñárritu told The New York Times. "My personal taste is films that try to tell me something in a different way. That’s the role of a film for me — let’s start the conversation."
"Digger," a satirical comedy, features Cruise as an eccentric billionaire oil tycoon attempting to avert a global ecological disaster he inadvertently caused. The film, which reportedly had a production budget of $135 million or more, garnered a mixed 51% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, with an audience score of 71%. The New York Post's film critic gave the movie zero out of four stars, describing it as a "laugh-free turd."
Despite the critical reception, Cruise expressed pride in the film via an Instagram post, calling the experience "truly unforgettable." However, an industry insider suggested to Page Six that Cruise's appeal might lie more in his action hero roles, with audiences potentially resistant to seeing him in heavy makeup and prosthetics as he appears in "Digger."
The film's opening weekend domestic box office earnings of approximately $8 million mark Cruise's lowest opening weekend in the U.S. since "Lions for Lambs" in 2007. Cruise, who has never won an Academy Award, received an honorary Oscar at the 16th Governors Awards in November 2025. "Digger" is currently playing in theaters nationwide.