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Tom Cruise's 'Digger' Draws Mixed Reviews Despite Soft Opening
Confirmed
In Short: Tom Cruise's latest film, 'Digger,' has drawn mixed reviews despite a soft opening at the box office.
Deadline reported that 'Digger' had an $8 million opening, which may be the lowest for a Tom Cruise film since 2007’s 'Lions for Lambs.
The dark comedy, directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, stars Cruise as wealthy oil tycoon Digger Rockwell, whose company sets off a world-altering crisis.
CinemaScore gave the film a C+, indicating a lukewarm reception from audiences.
Tom Cruise's performance, however, received consistent praise across the board.
Sophie Wilde and John Goodman also received positive reviews for their supporting roles.
TheWrap highlighted Cruise's commitment to his performances and the material, noting that while not all jokes landed, his comedic timing was strong.
However, some critics found the film's execution lacking, with one reviewer stating, 'Iñárritu are taking a massive swing here, but despite some great production design and a commitment to their big choices, not a whole lot works here.
The polarizing response to 'Digger' reflects the mixed reviews it has received, with some critics praising the film's ambition and others finding it unsatisfying.
Despite the mixed reviews, Cruise expressed respect for those who joined him on the project, emphasizing his dedication to the film.
The film's title, based on Cruise's character Digger Rockwell, has been criticized for not clearly conveying the movie's content or intrigue.
While the film's overall reception is mixed, Cruise's performance and the production design have garnered widespread praise.
Despite the soft opening, Cruise remains committed to the film, indicating that he is not ready to give up on 'Digger' just yet.
What this adds
Oscar-winning director Guillermo Del Toro has defended 'Digger' on social media, criticizing negative reviews and comparing it to movies that later gained appreciation.
Tom Cruise delivers one of his most remarkable performances in 'Digger,' a film that satirizes American idiocy and overconfidence.
Background
Oscar-winning director Guillermo Del Toro has taken to social media to defend Tom Cruise's new film 'Digger,' criticizing negative reviews and comparing it to movies that later gained appreciation.
Tom Cruise delivers one of his most remarkable performances in Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s 'Digger,' a film that satirizes American idiocy and overconfidence.
What's confirmed
- “Very mixed on Digger which had things I liked (Cruise’s performance included) and things I found absolutely insufferable,” she wrote.
What's still developing
- Uproxx alum Mike Ryan noted that the film is audacious, but doesn’t prove as effective a reflection on Cruise’s filmography as Top Gun: Maverick was.
- “Tom Cruise, as you probably expect, is *going for it* in Digger, which makes me want to like it,” he wrote.
- Tom Cruise and John Goodman are delivering stellar work (Sophie Wilde might be best in show for me), and the production design and cinematography are impressive (we’ve missed you, Chivo).
- “It might not be for everybody but what [Cruise] and Iñárritu have accomplished is odd and extraordinary.” Inverse’s Hoai-Tran Bui praised the central performance as well as Ahmed’s supporting work, but was irritated by other aspects of the film.
- There are very interesting moments in a meta, Cruise’s career way, but Maverick did them better.
- The focus is on its lead actor, Tom Cruise, who, despite four Oscar nods, has yet to bag one of those little gold statuettes.
- The wildly differing early reactions to the film as a whole have already hit the headlines, ranging from “messy” to “brilliant” and everything in between, although Cruise himself comes in for more consistent praise.
- The title is based Tom Cruise ‘s oil baron character in the film, Digger Rockwell, but it doesn’t really tell the audience what the movie is about, or suggest high amounts of intrigue, excitement or drama.
- She can also be found asking questions of some of the biggest names in the business – from Cate Blanchett to Daniel Craig or Mike Leigh to Pete Docter – or crafting reviews for a number of sites and publications, including The People’s Movies.
- The essential news, reviews, interviews and recommendations from The Playlist.
- “Cruise really does have a knack for comedy, and while not all the jokes land, he fully commits to his performances and the material,” one critic writes “Digger” reactions are out, and the vibe is mixed.
Sources
- Analytics Insightlink
- Deadlinelink
- Entertainment Weeklylink
- The Hollywood Reporterlink
- The People's Movieslink
- The Playlistlink
- TheWraplink
- World of Reellink
- The Hollywood Reporterlink
- WarpBeat — background on Del Toro Defends 'Digger,' Criticizes Negative Reviews link
- WarpBeat — background on Digger: Tom Cruise leans into one of his career’s most remarkable performances with glee link
- The Movie Buddy — video link