Early reactions to Tom Cruise's 'Digger' split critics: best film or a shallow mess

Early reactions to Tom Cruise's new film "Digger," directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, are sharply divided, with critics calling it everything from his best movie to a messy, shallow failure. The film, which premieres October 1st, has sparked intense debate among journalists. Positive reviews praise Cruise's performance as his most dynamic in years, with IndieWire calling it his best since "Magnolia" and a visually inventive, conceptually bold studio film. However, negative reactions describe it as a "mess" and "not enjoyable," criticizing its unbalanced narrative and lack of depth or humanity despite impressive production design. The film stars Cruise as Digger Rockwell, an oil magnate who causes an ecological catastrophe and must repair the damage. Critics note the movie's ambitious satire on power and narcissism, with standout supporting work from Riz Ahmed and John Goodman, though many predict it will divide mainstream audiences and critics alike.