In ‘Digger‘, we have the first major contender for multiple Academy Awards at the 2027 ceremony. I make this prediction not only because the Mexican director Alejandro G. Iñárritu is a master of these accolades—with four already on his shelf—but also because, with ‘Digger‘, he tackles hot-button political and environmental issues dear to Hollywood, doing so with spectacular visual flair and production value. Furthermore, he cast Tom Cruise in the lead role, giving him the chance to take on a major part after growing bored (or so it seems?) with ‘Mission: Impossible‘ and similar action flicks. I would be very surprised if this film didn’t garner ten or even more nominations across various categories. It might not take home many awards, but that also depends on the competition.
‘Digger‘ is a satirical, cynical dystopia. Viewers will gradually discover that the plot operates on multiple levels, but the central thread is the story of a potential apocalypse—triggered by environmental apathy, political incompetence, the dismissal of scientific warnings, and the rapacity of major oil companies driven by profit at any cost. At the heart of the action is Digger Rockwell, the all-powerful head of the conglomerate entrusted with drilling operations in Greenland. A technical incident—stemming from one of the many catastrophe scenarios predicted by environmentalists yet ignored by almost everyone—sparks a global crisis, quickly plunging us into a scenario reminiscent of the classic Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Dr. Strangelove‘. However, the satirical approach is much coarser and the style far more direct—reminiscent of sketch shows like ‘Saturday Night Live‘.
The production is impressive. From the opening scene to the finale, the viewer is treated to a visual experience rich in references to both cultural heritage and immediate current events. Characterization, however, fails to avoid falling into stereotypes; the target of the satire is so obvious that it hardly needs to be reiterated scene after scene. In my view, this is the weak point of a film that is otherwise remarkable for many reasons. Tom Cruise—in his first non-action role in 14 years—delivers a standout performance that puts him on par with Peter Sellers. Digger essentially dominates the narrative, leaving little room to flesh out supporting characters who would have been interesting to explore further—such as the President (played by John Goodman), whom the script saddles with a pointless physical ailment in a somewhat failed attempt to add a layer of comedy, or Digger’s environmentalist sister, a role from which the excellent Sandra Hüller extracted little substance. The only other character who truly comes into focus is the terrorized scientist who finds himself in the thankless role of scientific advisor to the world’s power brokers played with a mix of fear and pathos by Riz Ahmed. ‘Digger‘ features many comic scenes reminiscent of the golden age of comedy films. Audiences will laugh heartily here and there, but that laughter will die away—both during the screening and after the film ends—because the movie depicts a scenario of self-destruction for the world we inhabit, one that is no longer merely a fantasy but a genuine possibility for the future.
A detail for those who follow the history of the film industry: ‘Digger‘ is the final film produced under the independent Warner Brothers banner before the studio’s acquisition by Paramount was finalized. It is a fitting conclusion to the history of the studio founded 103 years ago by the four Warner brothers.