Hollywood's Backlash: Critics Pan Tom Cruise's 'Digger' as Industry Defends Star

Tom Cruise's new film, "Digger," has become a major box office disappointment, grossing only $8 million domestically on its opening weekend after receiving largely negative reviews from critics. The film, reportedly costing between $135 million and $180 million to produce, is on track to be one of the biggest flops of all time, according to reports.

Critical Reception and Box Office Performance

Scathing reviews contributed to the film's poor performance. David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter described the viewing experience as one of "excruciating weariness." The film's domestic box office projections plummeted from an initial $20 million to $15 million, ultimately settling at $8 million, a figure significantly lower than even other recent box office failures.

"Digger," a meta-satire directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, centers on an oil tycoon confronting an environmental catastrophe. Its substantial budget has drawn attention, with some critics questioning the investment for an arthouse-leaning film.

Hollywood's Defense and Industry Tactics

The film's critical failure has prompted a defensive reaction from Hollywood, with many surprised that critics would deliver such harsh assessments of a Tom Cruise project. There is a palpable sentiment that Cruise, due to his star power, should be "critic-proof."

In an effort to counter negative reviews, the film's marketing team has employed various strategies. Stars have participated in promotional activities, including creating online content and appearing on popular podcasts. A special trailer launch event was reportedly held for "Digger" to appeal to film influencers, with attendees given the opportunity to pose for photos with Cruise.

Warner Bros. released a new clip urging audiences to "decide for yourself," a plea interpreted by some as an attempt to bypass critical consensus. Additionally, actress Anne Hathaway offered a glowing review of "Digger" on Letterboxd, rating it 10/10 and calling it a "brilliant movie." Hathaway is slated to star with Cruise in an upcoming film, "Days of Thunder 2."

Jane Fonda also publicly praised Cruise's performance in "Digger," describing his role as a "big, brave risk" on Instagram. The author of the article contrasts this with Cruise's previous acclaimed performances, suggesting this role was an "Oscar hunt" rather than a display of genuine courage.

The Role of Critics

The article argues that Hollywood's efforts to circumvent honest critical opinions are becoming more prevalent. The author points to instances where professional reviewers have supported less certain films, such as "The Invite," "Coyote vs. Acme," "Project Hail Mary," and "Obsession," highlighting that critics do not solely target films for failure.

Despite these efforts by Hollywood to mitigate the impact of negative reviews, the critical reception of "Digger" has seemingly had a direct effect on its box office performance, leading to a significant financial loss for the studio. The article concludes by suggesting that the criticism of "Digger" should not be seen as an attack on the role of film critics, but rather as an accurate assessment of a commercially unsuccessful film.