Digger 2026 Movie Review
When going into the first viewing of a film like ‘Digger’, it’s best to know as little as possible. Only in retrospect did I realize that even the initial reactions I read online before watching the film (which supposedly adhered to the embargo restrictions) revealed far more than they were supposed to. So, in this short review, I’ll make an effort not to get into any plot details or other potential spoilers whatsoever.
‘Digger’ is not a film for everyone, but it is a unique cinematic experience that is undoubtedly worth giving a chance. It’s simply a very different film, and a bold one in what it aims for, that will work extremely well for some people, while others will simply find that it isn’t for them-mayhaps even a bit pretentious. While I enjoyed and appreciated its audacity, it’s understandable why some people won’t go along with the heightened satirical style and some of the artistic choices made here. I personally thought pretentiousness would be a much bigger issue here, but I was glad to find out I was wrong.
The writing is razor sharp-funny, compelling, and constructed very well. Before watching the film, I was sure it would have a very self-righteous or rather preachy tone, and thankfully, that wasn’t the case. The film has a very clear message, but it manages to convey it in a measured and balanced way, without trying to force the viewer to fall in line with it-unlike so many other films that have come out in recent years. A satire of the absurd state of the world today is undoubtedly something valuable and important when done in the right measure-which can surely be said about the overwhelming majority of this film-but there were also a few isolated moments where it did cross into the more “preachy” territory and felt like it was spoon-feeding the viewer with its message. Overall, though, I was pleasantly surprised, impressed even, in this regard, and the film handled this task in a very restrained and delicate manner. The film does have some plot contrivances that, while surely done for satirical purposes, can make you question how convincing the story is- but again, not very often.
Provided with exceptional material to work with, the performances in the film complement the writing gracefully, with some of the year’s best performances. Goodman was brilliant, but this is truly Cruise’s tour de force. I’ve never seen Cruise in an acting showcase like that, which is possibly one of the greatest in his illustrious career. His role was very demanding and nuanced, yet he managed to excel with flying colors. Some might find it a little bit over-the-top or show-y, but personally I see what Iñárritu and he were trying to do, and I loved it.
The supporting cast is packed with plenty of big names and familiar faces – some of whom I didn’t even know were in the film – all led by Alejandro González Iñárritu in the director’s chair. It’s clear that we’re dealing with a seasoned filmmaker who knows exactly what he’s doing, and it’s nice to see him continuing to reinvent himself and try new things rather than staying within a single comfort zone. Here, he’s somewhat closer to the ‘Birdman’ side of his filmography than ‘The Revenant’, for example, but still manages to offer something fresh and daring.
The most awe-inspiring technical aspect of the film is the production design – truly distinctive and immersive, stylized to perfection. Additionally, I liked the excessive makeup, hairstyling, and costume design much more than I thought I would – they work amazingly in the context of the film. The music was good at times and distracting at others, and the cinematography by none other than the amazing Emmanuel Lubezki was exactly as stunning as we’ve learned to expect from him.
‘Digger’ is certainly a worthy entry in the rich filmography of Iñárritu. While not for everyone, it manages to present genuine originality seldom seen in modern films, deliver an important message in a surgical, subtle manner, and all while being extremely entertaining and fun to watch. The performances are a joy to witness, and the technical aspects are at their best; while it can be a little self-indulgent at times, it’s one hell of a ride and merits the theatrical experience.
