Digger: Movie Review

Few films in recent years have sparked as much online debate and discourse as Digger, for better or worse. Even though the movie has been out for less than two weeks, it already seems to be on a clear trajectory towards becoming a cult classic among movie lovers. Those who have seen it and fallen in love with it have been raving about the film, going so far as to describe it as one of the most important and extraordinary movies to have come out in recent years. On the other side of the debate, however, those who disliked the film have criticised it for being heavy-handed in its messaging, preachy in its themes and overly self-indulgent in its execution. One thing is for certain: Digger is about as polarising as a movie can get.

When it comes to box office performance, there's simply no way to sugarcoat it: the film has been an absolute disaster. It's currently on course to become the biggest box office bomb in cinema history, which is hardly surprising given its absurd and baffling production budget of $160–180 million. What's even more staggering is that it's performing so poorly in cinemas that it's now on track to lose an astonishing $245 million. Regardless of how much or how little you care about box office figures, there's no denying that this represents a monumental failure for everyone involved.

So, what is the truth about Digger? Is it really as bad as the numbers seem to imply? Is it a misunderstood masterpiece? Or does the truth lie somewhere in between the two?

For me personally, Digger was a complete miss, which is particularly disappointing given how much I admire everyone involved in making this movie. I've always been a big fan of Alejandro G. Iñárritu. I honestly think the man is brilliant. His previous films have always impressed me, even when they've divided audiences, and his track record as a four-time Oscar winner speaks for itself. Having loved so much of his work over the years, I really wanted to feel the same way about Digger, but I left the cinema feeling more disappointed than I have been with a movie in a very long time.

If you've seen Digger, you'll know that a major twist takes place very early on in the movie, completely changing the direction of the story. I've seen a lot of people point to that moment as the turning point that immediately drew them in and got them invested in the film, but I had the complete opposite reaction. That was the moment where the movie lost me, and even though I watched it until the end with an open-mind, I just couldn't bring myself to like it.

There's no denying that the actors give everything they have in these roles, but that doesn't necessarily mean their work is always enjoyable to watch. While much of the exaggerated acting is clearly intentional, it can sometimes feel excessive, and unfortunately, the most acting doesn't always equate to the best acting. When you have characters delivering lines through constant shouting and behaving in such an exaggerated manner, you're taking a considerable risk that the film will become an exhausting, ear-splitting experience for the audience. Sadly, Digger falls into this trap on several occasions throughout its runtime. However, two cast members manage to stand out for very different reasons: Riz Ahmed, my personal favourite of the film, who does an exceptional job of balancing the more intense moments with a quieter, more restrained approach, and, of course, Tom Cruise.

Tom Cruise might just be the last true movie star we have left, and his performance in Digger is a perfect example of why he's remained such a major figure in Hollywood for so long. It's clear that he's put his heart and soul into this role, throwing himself completely into the character and giving it everything he's got. If you're used to seeing Cruise in action blockbusters, you might assume that a role like this would be completely outside his comfort zone, but he's no stranger to stepping into strange, eccentric and downright unconventional characters. He fully embraces everything that Digger demands of him, never shying away from just how bizarre his character can be. Regardless of how you feel about the film itself, it's difficult not to admire the sheer commitment and craftsmanship that have gone into bringing this performance to life.

Despite not liking the movie myself, it pains me to see it performing so poorly at the box office and being subjected to review bombing online. Digger is an original film that takes a considerable creative risk, and these are exactly the kinds of projects we should be encouraging more filmmakers to pursue. In an era where cinemas are increasingly dominated by remakes, sequels and prequels, it's more important than ever that original films get the chance to find an audience on the big screen.

Digger might not have worked for me, but I'd much rather see filmmakers take risks like this than play it safe. And for that reason alone, I hope people give it a chance on the big screen.