Four-time Oscar winner Alejandro González Iñárritu is no stranger to the Academy, with every one of his features earning at least one nomination, including a Best Picture win for 'Birdman.' This strong track record ensures 'Digger' will be seen by voters, even as critical reception is proving divisive.

While Tom Cruise's performance in the big-budget original satire has generated considerable discussion, many insiders are pointing to the film's crafts as its undeniable strength and its most viable path to Oscar nominations, potentially even a Best Picture nod.

Leading the charge in technical excellence is three-time Best Cinematography Oscar winner Emmanuel “Chivo” Lubezki, whose work on 'Digger' showcases a notable evolution from the signature 'one-take' style seen in his previous collaborations with Iñárritu. Oscar-winning production designer Dennis Gassner also contributes significantly, creating an unpredictable and uniquely scaled world that keeps audiences engaged. The film's casting, orchestrated by recent Best Casting Oscar nominee Francine Maisler, has also drawn praise for its surprising depth, featuring established names like John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, and Riz Ahmed alongside breakout talents like Jesse Plemons and Sophie Wilde.

Ahmed, in particular, is highlighted for having the most richly layered part, while Plemons is noted as an ultimate scene-stealer. Sandra Hüller, already a contender for multiple performances this year, might find relief in 'Digger' not being her primary awards vehicle. Even the film's music, composed by newcomer Cosmo Sheldrake, is earning accolades and could contend for a nomination.

Tom Cruise's own Oscar prospects for 'Digger,' however, appear more complicated. While his willingness to take a 'big swing' with the role is commendable, his performance is reportedly splitting audiences. Some critics suggest it lacks the transformative quality seen in his memorable cameo as Les Grossman in 'Tropic Thunder,' with the star still feeling very much like 'Cruise.' Adding to the potential hurdles, Cruise recently boasted on the 'New Heights' podcast about streamlining the prosthetic makeup process, reducing it to just one hour. This comment, while perhaps intended to showcase efficiency, could be perceived negatively by the Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch, potentially alienating voters.

The Academy has historically shown a reluctance to award nominees who appear to 'want it the most,' a pattern seen with recent contenders like Timothée Chalamet and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. Cruise, coming off two 'Mission: Impossible' films that didn't elevate his awards standing, finds himself in a position where he 'needs' an Oscar more than he might have in the afterglow of a Best Picture nominee like 'Top Gun: Maverick.' While his star power ensures a wide reach among actor-voters, he faces stiff competition from other un-Oscared actors in broadly appealing films, such as John Malkovich, Matt Damon, and Ryan Gosling.