Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Digger wears its ambition like a badge of honor, taking creative swings that are admirable but don’t fully work.
Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Genre: Dark Comedy, Satire, Drama
Run Time: 128′
Rated: R
Release Date: October 2, 2026
Where to Watch: In U.S. theaters, in U.K. and Irish cinemas, and globally in theaters
Wealth inequality, global warming, unnecessary wars; these are all issues plaguing our little green planet. The rise of social media has made it easier than ever to identify and embarrass those responsible: billionaires, celebrities, politicians, and other high-profile individuals. Through memes or damning recordings of their heinous acts, one might hope we could use these platforms to expose their lack of moral compass, or at the very least educate people about it and hold them accountable.
Like most things, the reality is far sadder. Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Digger not only shows how natural catastrophes are directly linked to the greed of Earth’s wealthiest, but also explores the role we play as spectators who let it continue.
Digger Rockwell (Tom Cruise, of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning) is one of the world’s most powerful men, influencing politics through his family’s highly successful oil business. When his company’s greed unleashes a natural disaster threatening everything in its path, Digger embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity’s savior.
While I won’t reveal Digger’s “twist” that the press has hinted at, which completely recontextualizes the film, I do want to acknowledge its existence because it feels like my hands are tied as I write this review. One thing is certain: it will be a polarizing watch for half, if not most, audiences. I’m legitimately impressed it got through the studio system and secured the budget it did, Tom Cruise attached or not. That, alone, is an achievement in itself.
Amidst its ambition, Digger’s biggest obstacle is pulling off satire about the state of the world, which often feels like satire itself and makes any joke redundant. Does it succeed here? Yes and no. The way Iñárritu tackles the movie’s themes reminds me of how he handled Birdman’s. Iñárritu’s Oscar-winning film wore its pretentiousness with pride, discussing artistry versus consumerism within the world of acting. You either found that annoying or tipped your hat to it. Similarly, Digger loudly targets those in power who are driving our planet’s decline.
If I had to guess a number, I’d say 95% of the movie is spent ridiculing characters like President Compson (John Goodman, of The Righteous Gemstones) and the Vice President (Michael Stuhlbarg, of After the Hunt), who are clearly stand-ins for Donald Trump and JD Vance. That can be fun for a 5-minute SNL sketch of sorts, but it becomes obnoxious when you have to spend two hours watching terrible people acting like buffoons, reminding you of the real buffoons running our world.
Its comedy has more misses than hits, but it oddly supports the movie’s core argument about whether we should be laughing at these obviously evil politicians and billionaires. The media gives these people so much attention through news coverage, films, TV shows, novels, you name it. At some point, you have to stop and think about how much we fuel their egos by normalizing their behavior. Jesse Plemons (Bugonia) has a monologue that directly addresses this very topic. It is one of the film’s strongest moments, pushing the movie toward meaning, but the constant juvenile humor undermines it.
Cruise is deliciously cartoonish when need be, and pathetically sympathetic when confronted with the reality that nobody cares for him, nor does he care for anyone other than his cat. Unfortunately, he and the cast don’t get to explore authentic arcs because of Digger’s structure and presentation. Again, can’t really dive into details without ruining the surprise. However, the film has dual narratives, and one (the constant jokey one) takes precedence over the other (the exploration of media enabling corruption).
Being an Iñárritu production, the crafts are nothing short of impeccable. Emmanuel Lubezki’s pale cinematography elevates the story’s hopelessness beneath the comedy. Dennis Gassner and Richard L. Johnson’s production design feels large yet empty, much like Digger Rockwell as a person is. Alessandro Bertolazzi and Kazu Hiro’s makeup team works wonders, making Cruise physically disappear into the character. Digger is as impressive a technical marvel as any of Iñárritu’s past work. Its script just doesn’t fully rise to its own thesis, even if the swings it takes are admirable.
Digger (2026): Movie Plot & Recap
Synopsis:
The most powerful man in the world embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity’s savior before the disaster he’s unleashed destroys everything.
Pros:
- Digger’s ambition is bold, loudly targeting those in power with no regard for the state of the world.
- Its interest in exploring the role we play in consuming the products that billionaires profit from and that harm the environment is risky yet commendable.
- Cruise and Plemons elevate the script’s often thin material.
- The film’s production craftsmanship is as impressive as Iñárritu’s past work.
Cons:
- Its constant juvenile humor overshadows the core thesis Iñárritu is going for.
- It can come across as pretentious.
- It doesn’t strike a balance between its dual narratives, favoring satire over its themes of media platforms amplifying the world’s most corrupt.
Digger will be released in U.S. theaters, in U.K. and Irish cinemas, and globally in theaters on October 2, 2026.