Digger Underperforms at Box Office Despite Praise from Cast and Critics

Iñárritu's new film underperforms

Eleven years after The Revenant, Alejandro González Iñárritu returns to cinema with Digger. However, unlike the previously mentioned multi-Oscar-winning film, this one is experiencing a difficult start at the global box office.

Box office numbers are low

With only 8 million dollars collected in the United States during its first weekend of release and 12 million dollars internationally, Digger is far from the expected performances. The film follows Digger Rockwell — played on screen by an unrecognizable Tom Cruise — one of the most powerful men in the world, but also a megalomaniac.

Ben Affleck defends the film

For actor Ben Affleck, this failure could have serious consequences beyond the film itself. Ben Affleck supports Digger. He spoke up to defend the film on the podcast Happy Sad Confused, comparing the negative reception to "school bullying" by people who have "never even seen movies."

Affleck warns about the future of cinema

Beyond the negative reviews, Ben Affleck is especially worried about how studios might interpret this box office failure. He fears an avalanche of bad films if the industry punishes risk-taking. He argues that an industry incapable of accepting mistakes also risks stifling creativity.

Positive reception from some critics

A welcome statement, shared by Anne Hathaway, currently starring in Verity. On Letterboxd, the actress who will soon be opposite Tom Cruise in Jour de tonnerre 2 gave the maximum score, 10 out of 10, praising the film as "intelligent, crazy, punchy, funny, and ambitious." She encourages viewers to "form your own opinion."

Digger still playing in France

Digger is currently still showing in many cinemas in France, offering audiences the chance to see the film and decide for themselves.