Washington Examiner calls ‘Digger’ an unpleasant, incompetent and unfunny satire
The Washington Examiner published a scathing review on September 10, 2026, labeling Alejandro G. Inarritu’s satire Digger as unpleasant, incompetent and unfunny.
The critique focuses on the film’s central character, oil tycoon Digger Rockwell, portrayed by Tom Cruise, and its heavy‑handed satire of environmental crises and U.S. political figures. The examiner notes that the movie presents a dated, virtue‑signaling approach that feels out of step with current cultural conversations.
Box‑office numbers underscore the review’s assessment. Digger opened to a domestic gross of $8 million, far below expectations for a production whose budget ranged between $135 million and $180 million. The poor commercial performance mirrors the overwhelmingly negative response from critics, who described the film as a “massive flop.”
The article highlights specific elements that contributed to the film’s failure. Inarritu’s depiction of a Greenland ice‑shelf disaster and the portrayal of a U.S. president played by John Goodman—combining traits of former presidents—were deemed over‑the‑top and unconvincing. The review also criticizes Cruise’s performance, pointing out that his portrayal of an aging oil baron clashes with his youthful physicality.
Beyond the cinematic shortcomings, the Washington Examiner warns that the film’s reception could shape future studio decisions. It suggests that Skydance and Warner Bros. should reconsider green‑lighting projects that frame the energy industry as outright villains or that rely on overt political satire. The reviewer frames the flop as a cultural indicator, implying that audiences are pushing back against stale, preach‑y narratives.
Industry observers have noted similar reactions, with another outlet reporting that the film’s influencer‑driven marketing push failed to sway audience opinion. Despite promotional efforts, the film’s “dumb, dated virtue‑signaling” and “odious attempts at humor” resonated poorly with both critics and moviegoers.
The Washington Examiner concludes by urging studios to learn from Digger’s missteps, emphasizing the need for more nuanced storytelling that respects audience intelligence while addressing environmental and political themes.
