Digger is Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s eighth directorial project, following an oil tycoon named Digger Rockwell. Digger Rockwell is, above all things, the most powerful person in the world. Though seen as a force of nature, Digger has landed himself in serious trouble because of climate change caused by malpractice at one of his oil rigs. Because of this world-defining event, Digger must find a way to save the world from environmental ruin. 

Digging For Gold

Digger, as a film, is a response. That’s one of the film’s greatest plot points. Decisions driven by greed and a hunger for something unachievable, or environmentally unconstitutional, have the biggest impact on the world. The film works in duality, and while it works at times, it sells itself short; when it does, it opens a huge gap that deserves an answer without leaving room for it to open. 

Digger Rockwell treads as a cautionary tale. In reality, Digger is the epicenter of change; he gave the world so much, whether for better or worse. Digger’s influence reached even the highest circles; people trusted him, much to others’ chagrin. But it worked because, as he is the richest person on earth, how could he have a flaw? That’s where the film’s story begins to form: impact and influence fueled by representation won’t save the world. The film demonstrates how people put their faith in a higher power they can’t wield, and when that power shows a major flaw or fails entirely, the pushback turns on someone else deemed less than. The film’s critique echoes today’s politics, and it will make a lot of people uncomfortable. Those who see the clear objective can maneuver and engage with the film more effectively than others. The idea that the audience makes Digger a better film is an achievement in itself, because every audience has a viewpoint rooted in its own beliefs. 

A Showy Ensemble

Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s direction in Digger is admirable. The film stands firm in its originality and leans heavily into its circumstances. It’s haunting but also unserious at times. The unserious element seems like the film’s sweet spot but, in the end, offers nothing as the story unfolds. Because of these factors, it is easy to see why the discourse surrounding this film has divided its audience. There is so much to love and so much to feel uneasy about at the same time. What the film lacks in execution, it makes up for in heart and ambition. Digger is an experience, and it is meant for the audience to make up their own minds. It’s hard to say Iñárritu dropped the ball here, but some parts of the narrative could have been clearer. The film’s open-ended writing almost works, but when it tries to stick the landing, it chokes. This makes the most meaningful moments an act of contortion at times (maybe it is). The film probably would have worked better as an epic with a seismic runtime to tackle the narrative properly. Though Iñárritu’s narrative direction in Digger is questionable, the original concept deserves credit for taking a huge creative swing. 

Digger Rockwell is hands down one of Tom Cruise’s best roles. As a film lover himself, Cruise knows how to give a show, and he does. Inside the film, Cruise is just like the average person who has to accomplish something while making sure those closest to him are accounted for. The creative lengths Cruise goes to make this film an experience are well executed, though the narrative still stands him up. One scene features a nearly 10-minute monologue that works because it makes the audience question its veracity and where their allegiance lies.