Digger's review embargo lifts Tuesday, Sept. 29, at noon ET, and Kalshi's Rotten Tomatoes market currently forecasts a 51.8% Tomatometer score, down slightly from 53.2% earlier Sept. 28.
The film's forecast has continued to slide since mixed early reactions first sent the market tumbling last week.
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The positive reviews
Oscar-winning director Alejandro González Iñárritu’s new film has become a polarizing one among critics. Several critics posted early reactions on social media, although the full review embargo remains in place.
The Independent’s Jacob Stolworthy wrote that the film’s most polarizing moment comes from its surprise twist that viewers haven’t seen in clips and trailers.
“The clip teased an absurd farce centered on a megalomaniacal tycoon whose hunger for power causes a global catastrophe he struggles to contain,” Stolworthy wrote. “But rumors abounded that there was something else about the film being kept secret from viewers. It turns out that is true – and there is a twist that will make or break the film for many.”
Film Threat’s Chris Gore said that Cruise delivers an ambitious performance and Iñárritu’s direction is impeccable.
“Digger is the biggest swing of Cruise’s career,” Gore wrote. “It’s either going to blow your mind, or you’ll have other thoughts when you learn what is really happening in Iñárritu’s masterfully directed film.”
Drew Taylor of TheWrap praised the film's originality and strange approach to its satire.
“Digger really is something else – a grand satire (or farce?) about our current predicament and where we go from there, full of barbed commentary and outlandish set pieces,” Taylor wrote. “It might not be for everybody, but what Tom Cruise and Iñárritu have accomplished is odd and extraordinary.”
The negative reviews
Even some of the film's less enthusiastic early reactions praised Cruise and the ensemble while criticizing its script, satire, and execution.
Hoai-Tran Bui of Inverse offered a mixed assessment, praising Cruise's performance while criticizing other elements of the film.
“Very mixed on Digger, what had things I liked (Cruise’s performance included) and things I found absolutely insufferable,” Bui wrote. “I wasn’t a devoted Iñárritu hater before this, but now I kind of get it!”
Kristen Lopez of The Film Maven posted that she understands why the reviews are so mixed and the film is so polarizing.
“Digger is a very mixed bag,” Lopez wrote. “You’ll get what it’s saying, and the concept is interesting, but it doesn’t trust the audience enough not to hold its hand.”
The Oscar Expert praised the film's ambitious vision and criticized its comedy, writing, direction, and weak attempts at satire.
“Digger is a timely examination of powerful, wealthy narcissists manipulating the public narrative for their gain,” he wrote. “It is very goofy, though not particularly funny, while also dissecting itself being this year. A satire about the role of satire.”
The takeaway:
Kalshi markets now predict:
Digger’s Rotten Tomatoes score: 51.8%
Follow Danny Gallagher on Instagram: @writerdannygallagher
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