The film, which sees Iñárritu return a decade after his back-to-back Best Director wins for Birdman and The Revenant, is described as a "comedy of catastrophic proportions." It centers on the world's most powerful man, portrayed by Cruise in a reportedly unrecognizable role, as he races against time to mitigate a global disaster he himself instigated. Warner Bros. has employed a quiet release strategy, bypassing major festivals, a tactic that proved successful for their Oscar-winning Une bataille après l’autre last year.

However, unlike its predecessor's clear path to acclaim, Digger's initial reception from critics and industry insiders, as reported by Ecranlarge, suggests a far more contentious journey. Adjectives ranging from "disaster" and "insufferable" to "audacious" and "extraordinary" pepper the early reviews, indicating a film that demands strong opinions. This polarizing effect seems to be a hallmark of Iñárritu's latest endeavor, which has been likened to works by Charlie Kaufman or even Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove, while some also noted parallels to Black Mirror.

Critics are particularly focused on the film's bold ambition and Cruise's performance. Bill Bria of SlashFilm called it "one of the boldest major studio films in a bit; it's also one of the most abrasive." On the other hand, Joey Magidson from Awards Radar found it a "mess... not a whole lot works here." Despite the criticisms, many acknowledged the commitment from both Iñárritu and Cruise. Jake Hamilton of Jake's Takes even declared it his "favorite film of ‘26" and praised Cruise, stating his "performance ranks among his career best." Riz Ahmed and John Goodman also received mentions for their contributions.

While the mixed bag of reviews might not bode well for a clear sweep at the upcoming awards season, it certainly signals Digger's originality and willingness to challenge audiences. Film fans in France will be able to form their own opinions when Digger hits cinemas on September 30, 2026.