* Warning: This article may contain spoilers for the film’s main plot.
Audiences watching Digger, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, are likely to be stunned by the visual transformation of lead actor Tom Cruise. At 64 years old (born in July 1962), Cruise has long been perceived as a dashing middle-aged star rather than a senior citizen, thanks to his roles in blockbusters like the Mission: Impossible franchise and Top Gun: Maverick (2022). However, in collaboration with two-time Oscar-winning director Iñárritu, Cruise undergoes a jaw-dropping metamorphosis. His portrayal of a stubborn old man with shock-white hair and sagging skin is nothing short of astonishing.
The film’s title, Digger, refers to the eccentric oil tycoon Digger Rockwell (Cruise), who resides in a sprawling mansion with his feline companion. Rockwell embodies the archetype of the wealthy, cantankerous elderly mogul that modern audiences might find oddly familiar. As the third-generation head of a global economic powerhouse, Digger dismisses warnings about cracks in a Greenland glacier where his company is conducting extensive drilling operations, prioritizing immediate profits over potential catastrophe.
Disaster strikes when a massive explosion occurs due to the ignored fissures, resulting in numerous casualties. The situation rapidly spirals out of control, evolving into a cataclysmic event. A colossal glacier fragment, dubbed Judy, breaks off and drifts through ocean currents. Scientists predict that this behemoth, five times the size of Washington D.C., will collide with the European continent, triggering a devastating tsunami off the Norwegian coast.
Finally grasping the gravity of the situation, Digger reaches out to President Compson (John Goodman), who had previously facilitated his company’s Greenland drilling through a clandestine agreement. Fearing potential diplomatic fallout between the U.S. and Europe, Digger convenes with the president and cabinet members. The meeting, populated by conservative old guard men, results in a decision to erect an information firewall rather than warn Europe, ultimately leading to catastrophe. At this juncture, the film’s narrative takes an unexpected turn, expanding beyond a simple black comedy into a broader, more incisive satire that sharpens its humor and deepens its thematic exploration.
Digger goes beyond merely lampooning America’s aging leadership – the oil tycoon stubbornly clinging to his cowboy hat and boots, the decrepit president on death’s door, and the out-of-touch, ignorant government officials. It delves into how the public reenacts, satirizes, and consumes these figures, revealing the irony created by underlying conflicts and power structures. As viewers adopt a macro perspective, they’re compelled to reflect on their own positions within this complex societal tapestry.
Tom Cruise, who has recently been hailed solely as a master of stunt action, brought his signature boundless energy to a complex character that traverses two narrative layers, effectively playing two roles in one. Digger grieves over the loss of his cat, his companion of 38 years, yet doesn’t bat an eye at sacrificing the lives of innocent people to minimize his own losses. Furthermore, while he displays dazzling eloquence and charisma, even going so far as to shift the blame onto those who harshly criticize him, claiming that all these events occurred because their selfishness ultimately aligned with his own, he also expresses the exhaustion of playing the villain in a situation that embodies humanity’s immense selfishness. Tom Cruise, playing such a complex character, delivers a spectacular display of physical prowess through his acting that rivals his stunt action scenes. Runtime: 129 minutes. Opens on October 3.
