We, as a species, are cooked. Greenhouse gases continue to warm our planet at an alarming rate, the effects of which can be seen in our worsening, and ever-increasing natural disasters. Our world leaders flirt with autocracy at the behest of capitalists who wield far too much power. Our air is toxic, made less breathable with each passing day thanks to the byproducts of the fuel and gas we rely on to power our technology. And the only means of comfort we have left is our ability to point and laugh at the very people who gifted us this bleak, miserable existence.
That’s both this writer’s assessment of the reality in which we find ourselves, and the morbid view expressed in Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu’s latest feature, Digger (2026). Its plot takes place in a world of two halves, one of which has an eccentric, arrogant American oil tycoon, Digger Rockwell (Tom Cruise) grappling with an environmental catastrophe triggered by his very company, and a Trump-coded US president (John Goodman) who would love nothing more than to absolve himself of all responsibility. As for the other half, there we have a theatrical play being directed by the young, inexperienced Hannah (Australia’s Sophie Wilde) and an executive producer (Jesse Plemons) who’s taking a very keen interest in proceedings.
Details of this second narrative were oddly absent from the marketing materials for Digger, which seem to be positioning the film as Don’t Look Up (2021) meets Dr Strangelove (1964). In reality, its tone and artistry is closer in spirit to Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City (2023) by way of a previous Iñárritu feature, Birdman (2014) – less a pointed satire of modern politics, and more a commentary on how art informs our lives. This distinction isn’t wholly apparent upon initial viewing, with the viewer likely to be confused by the dual plots and pondering what (if any) connection they share; yet all becomes clear when the story enters its third act and nears its conclusion, all before landing a vicious blow just as the credits roll.
Those hoping for a satirical lambasting of our policymakers will inevitably be left disappointed, for Digger instead favours meta-commentary on the state of political comedy. The picture appears quite content to be a parody in the extreme, openly acknowledging that its characters are far more buffoonish than the counterparts from whom they’ve taken inspiration, in the belief that doing so will provide a sense of catharsis for the audience. There is some merit in this argument, particularly during the current era when certain heads of government are becoming more deranged by the minute, though the manner in which the story posits that very dictum proves quite heavy-handed and abrasive.
Digger may not possess much in the way of literary prowess, but can boast some nous in the form of its performances, chief among them Cruise. Despite being clad under a fat-suit and heavy prosthetics applied by Oscar-winning makeup artist Kazu Hiro, the acting veteran offers boundless energy in the role of Rockwell, his talent coming to the fore during a caustic monologue delivered to a rowdy crowd. His co-stars shine almost as brightly, including the aforementioned Goodman, Wilde and Plemons, as well as Sandra Hüller in the role of Digger’s half-sister Emma, Riz Ahmed as scientist Ganesh and Michael Stuhlbarg as a meek, ineffective vice-president. Further praise should be given to the cinematography of Emmanuel Lubezki, and production design of Dennis Gassner and Richard L. Johnson, even if they’re borrowing a few too many cues from Wes Anderson.
Being subversive, incendiary and brazen in equal measure, Digger ought to be the highpoint of Iñárritu’s storied career that has also given us acclaimed productions like Amores Perros (2000), Babel (2007) and The Revenant (2016). Unfortunately though, his latest effort doesn’t quite reach those heights, owing to a muddled screenplay that contains just enough bite, yet too few laughs and a clumsily-delivered message. Consider the feature instead as a showcase for a talented cast, and it can’t be faulted.
Digger is now screening in cinemas nationwide.
