‘Digger’ movie review: Tom Cruise goes Gonzo in Iñárritu’s climate satire

Los Angeles: Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Digger – starring Tom Cruise, Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg and Jesse Plemons – has released in theatres on October 2, 2026, and is dividing critics.

Described as an audacious, R-rated climate satire, the film casts Cruise as Digger Rockwell, a Texas oil tycoon with sagging jowls, thinning white hair and a ten-gallon hat. The billionaire tycoon who runs the oil industry – and by extension America – faces a global emergency after his deep-drilling in Greenland dislodges a massive iceberg named Judy, five times the size of Washington D.C., which begins drifting toward Northern Europe threatening tidal waves and a chain reaction.

It is Cruise’s first non-sequel film since American Made in 2017. Produced by Cruise, Iñárritu and Mary Parent for Legendary and Warner Bros., the film reportedly cost north of $125 million.

The screenplay, by Iñárritu with his Birdman co-writers Alexander Dinelaris and Nicolás Giacobone, along with Sabina Berman and Jez Butterworth, is being called a Dr. Strangelove-meets-Don’t Look Up satire. Emmanuel Lubezki’s cinematography keeps the chaos on a tight leash.

Reviewers are unanimous on Cruise’s transformation. Burying Ethan Hunt under prosthetics, he delivers what many are calling his boldest performance in years – electrifying, bombastic and simultaneously ridiculous and terrifying. Riz Ahmed as chief scientist Ganesh brings the heart and conscience, while Goodman as President Compson provides the political farce.

The film, rated 3 to 4 stars in most reviews, is being praised for its sheer audacity and relevance, though some critics note it suffers from too much ambition, piling on subplots and ideas.