Photo via New York Post

‘Digger’ director weighs in on scathing reviews of Tom Cruise film after disastrous opening weekend

Read the original at New York Post ↗
Cite

Todisco, E. (2026, October 6). ‘Digger’ director weighs in on scathing reviews of Tom Cruise film after disastrous opening weekend. New York Post. https://pagesix.com/2026/10/06/entertainment/digger-director-reacts-to-scathing-reviews-of-tom-cruise-film-after-opening-weekend/

Dated when The Aporia collected the article, usually within hours of publication. Check the original for its exact date and byline.

New York Post · collected 2026-10-06 · by Eric Todisco

Quick Summary

Alejandro González Iñárritu addressed the poor reception and box office performance of his film "Digger," starring Tom Cruise, saying it was an intentional risk that may not appeal to everyone. The movie cost over $135 million to produce but only earned $8 million in its opening weekend domestically. This is Tom Cruise's lowest US opening since 2007’s “Lions for Lambs.” Despite the criticism, both Iñárritu and Cruise remain supportive of the film.
Written by AI on 2026-10-06, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

Alejandro González Iñárritu, director of the Tom Cruise-led film "Digger," admitted that his movie is imperfect following scathing reviews and a disastrous opening weekend. The film earned only $8 million domestically during its first weekend, despite costing at least $135 million to produce. Iñárritu told the New York Times that he appreciates taking creative risks, even if it means receiving polarizing reactions rather than lukewarm reception. He believes films should provoke conversation and noted there are viewers who prefer more conventional storytelling. Critics like Oleksinski have described the film's narrative frame as pretentious, leading audiences to disengage for long periods during the movie.

Written for “Tom Cruise Film Reviews” on 2026-11-02, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

Story

📰 Tom Cruise Film Reviews
Entertainment · 1 article(s) covering the same event.

Compared with similar articles

This article reads unscored and hedges 0% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.
Why keeping Tom Cruise's secret made Sophie Wilde 'so stressed' Different event
ABC News (AU)
Hedges 1 of 29 claims Outlet record 68/100
“The first article discusses the build-up and secrecy around Tom Cruise's film 'Digger', while the second focuses on reactions after its release, including scathing reviews and a disastrous opening weekend. These describe different stages of the same movie's lifecycle.”
Is the Tom Cruise Movie ‘Digger’ Streaming on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video? Different event
New York Post
Hedges 2 of 25 claims Outlet record 66/100
“Article A discusses the release and context of the film 'Digger', while Article B covers Iñárritu's reaction to negative reviews after its opening weekend. These are different stages of the same film's reception.”
'Digger' Review: Tom Cruise destroys the planet in Alejandro Iñárritu's grandiose, messy political satire Different event
Fox News
⚖️ Leans left Hedges 3 of 21 claims Outlet record 69/100
“Article A reviews the movie 'Digger', while Article B reports on the director's reaction to negative reviews and poor box office performance after its opening weekend.”
Digger is poised to be one of the biggest box-office flops of the year Different event
CBC News
Hedges 10 of 25 claims Outlet record 74/100
“Article A discusses projections and budget details for Digger's box-office performance, while Article B covers the director's reaction after the film's disastrous opening weekend. These describe different stages of the event.”
‘Digger’ Ending Explained: Does Tom Cruise Save the Day? Everything You Need to Know About the Box Office Flop Different event
New York Post
Hedges 5 of 46 claims Outlet record 66/100
“The articles discuss different aspects of the film 'Digger', with Article A focusing on a review and critique, while Article B covers the director's response to negative reviews and poor box office performance.”
Critics killed Tom Cruise’s ‘Digger’ — and clueless Hollywood is fighting back Different event
New York Post
⚖️ Leans left Hedges 2 of 42 claims Outlet record 66/100
“While both articles discuss negative reviews and poor box office performance for 'Digger', they describe different aspects or perspectives on the event rather than a single, identical incident.”
Is this film so terrible, even Tom Cruise can’t save it? Different event
The Sydney Morning Herald
Hedges 2 of 65 claims Outlet record 61/100
“Article A discusses the director's reaction to negative reviews and poor box office performance, while Article B focuses on the film's reception and box office numbers in Australia. Although both articles refer to 'Digger', they describe different aspects of the event.”
How this article was measured signals, leaning charts, publisher record, byline, topics and claims

Signals How these are calculated →

Claims extracted
19
sentences that state something as happening or true
Uncertain
0%
0 of 19 hedged ("reportedly", "may", "according to")
Leaning
not political
takes no side on a contested political question
Publisher signals
66/100
New York Post's corrections and hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.
Outlets on this story
1
Entertainment
Same framing elsewhere
1
articles that frame the event the way this one does
Analyzed 2026-10-06 · how these are computed

How this is being covered How these are calculated →

Article leaning vs. publisher reliability
Source leaning vs. consistency

Publisher

New York Post · 16140 article(s) · 35 correction(s) detected
Running correction rate · 35 correction(s)
2026-10-26
Ex-NYPD cop charged in George Washington Bridge road rage killing free on $1M bail
2026-10-23
Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Lupin’ Season 4 On Netflix, Where The Master Thief Finds Out Who Pulled Off A Copycat Heist While He Was In Prison
2026-10-20
ISIS terrorist who plotted NYC mass slaughter gets 50 more years for blinding prison guard
2026-10-18
The AI bubble is about to burst — and a big market correction is coming
2026-10-16
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs moved out of New Jersey prison days after head injury, reports of special treatment
2026-10-13
‘Compassionate’ drug policy is anything but — woke Canada shows us why
2026-10-10
Cornell set to become first Ivy to offer degrees in prison
2026-10-09
Prison where Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is serving sentence is at the center of sex abuse scandal
2026-10-08
Christa Pike is ‘up and walking’ after botched execution — and she remembers: ‘She is angry’
2026-10-08
Christa Pike’s aunt believes killer’s survival of botched execution is God’s will: ‘God is in control, not the Department of Correction’
2026-10-08
Manson killer Patricia Krenwinkel granted parole again after nearly 6 decades behind bars
2026-10-07
Former corrections officer allegedly killed his wife — and forced his kids to help
2026-10-04
Ex-US Attorney will lead independent review of Christa Pike botched execution
2026-10-03
Tennessee prison chief resigns after Christa Pike’s botched execution
2026-10-03
Inmates getting paper straws in Canadian prisons for ‘safer snorting’ of drugs
2026-10-02
Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Ken Urker’s relationship timeline: From prison proposal to his untimely death
2026-10-01
‘Triple-G’ weight loss drug update: Even on the lowest dose, trial patients lost 12.7% of their weight
2026-10-01
Christa Pike likely has ‘brain injury’ after botched execution — here’s what went wrong: ‘Degraded’ drugs, damaged veins
2026-09-29
Tennessee’s first female death row inmate in 200 years snubs her last meal ahead of Wednesday execution
2026-09-27
Trump asked China’s Xi Jinping if he’d ‘like to buy’ American weapons, US ambassador reveals
2026-09-27
Police give update on Hayden Panettiere’s death investigation after overdose ruling
2026-09-26
NYC’s embattled jail system saw startling 76% spike in inmate assaults and fights
2026-09-24
‘Pioneer Woman’ Ree Drummond’s son Jamar detained for biting cop months before assault arrest
2026-09-22
GOP’s Bruce Blakeman promises to ease solitary confinement limits as he picks up correction union nod
2026-09-19
‘Landman’ Season 3 Release Date Update: When Does The Next Season of ‘Landman’ Come Out?
2026-09-19
Nick Reiner hasn’t received ‘even $5’ from $1.6M family trust, lawyers claim
2026-09-18
UCLA chancellor pressured to retract rebuke over event with 9/11 ‘mastermind’ lawyer
2026-09-18
Bo Bichette’s willingness to change positions could reshape Mets’ infield
2026-09-18
Mamdani mourns NYC thief accused of murdering man with special needs
2026-09-18
Alabama killer’s last words before he’s executed for 1998 pawnshop double murder revealed
2026-09-18
Shock poll shows another huge swing in California governor’s race
2026-09-15
Fast food chains are making a major shift in customer service amid complaints of a ‘lonely and disconnected’ store experience
2026-09-15
Are Cocoa Puffs Maria Sten’s Favorite Cereal? The ‘Reacher’ and ‘Neagley’ Star Sets The Record Straight: “I Have to Make Clarifications”
2026-09-06
Long Island inmates in jail on drug charges use photo program to get clean
2026-09-06
‘Landman’ Season 3 Release Date Update: When Does ‘Landman’ Return With New Episodes?

Who wrote this

Eric Todisco
83 article(s) here · 0 carrying a prediction
🔮 Camilla, 79, was quickly given an umbrella to shield her from the rain, while Charles, 77, could be seen looking around for help, wanting an umbrella of his own, according to a BBC video.
2026-11-02 · mixed framing · King Charles struggles to hide his annoyance as he and Queen Camilla are caught in rainstorm during royal tour
🔮 “I would love it to feel like it was rigged and effortless.
2026-11-01 · assertive framing · ‘The Challenge: Cutthroat’ winner Tori Deal responds to claims that final competition was ‘rigged’
🔮 “You could hear it in his accented voice and in the stern honesty with which he told you what he thought and felt.
2026-10-30 · assertive framing · Ian McKellen speaks out on his ‘love’ for Patrick Stewart in heartbreaking tribute to longtime pal
🔮 “First of all, I said, ‘You could actually pay me the cost of this building, but don’t bother, because I don’t want to continue on under contract.’”
2026-10-26 · assertive framing · Holland Taylor name-drops the 9-time Emmy-winning show that ‘never’ paid her ‘well’
🔮 And I just put ‘maybe,'” Lete recalled.
2026-10-24 · assertive framing · ‘The Challenge’ star Alexis Lete shares truth on Johnny Bananas showmance and where they stand now
🔮 “And [she and husband Prince Harry] thought it would be helpful in the moment for there to be a reason for their move.”
2026-10-23 · assertive framing · ‘The Gentlemen’ Season 3 casts major Hollywood actors — as 1 star shockingly exits — after Meghan Markle drama
🔮 “We stand with Hila and will support her every step of the way,” the statement read.
2026-10-23 · assertive framing · YouTuber Ethan Klein fired from ‘H3 Podcast’ after wife Hila accuses him of affair: ‘Unthinkable heartbreak’
🔮 “I had said to him, ‘I would rather go to a studio apartment with both of my children than sign this.’”
2026-10-22 · assertive framing · Elon Musk and Ashley St. Clair skip custody court date due to lawyers negotiating child support
🔮 Tobin, 40, said she has “anxiety” over the possibility that the “Glee” reboot will be all she’s asked about now — especially if she’s not a part of it.
2026-10-22 · assertive framing · ‘Glee’ alum explains why shocking reboot news gives her ‘diarrhea’
🔮 “I’ve known Alan for years, I have a lot of love for him, and I respect what he brings to the show,” he told us, adding, “I was simply sharing my opinion on how different the partnership will look with Alan stepping in for Val.
2026-10-22 · assertive framing · Gleb Savchenko insists he didn’t ‘attack’ fellow ‘DWTS’ pro Alan Bersten after shady comments
Also by Eric Todisco
King Charles struggles to hide his annoyance as he and Queen Camilla are caught in rainstorm during royal tour
2026-11-02 · New York Post
‘The Challenge: Cutthroat’ winner Tori Deal responds to claims that final competition was ‘rigged’
2026-11-01 · New York Post
Actor Richard Norton looked fit and healthy in final photos taken just days before shock peptide death
2026-10-30 · New York Post
Ian McKellen speaks out on his ‘love’ for Patrick Stewart in heartbreaking tribute to longtime pal
2026-10-30 · New York Post
Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.
All 83 articles by Eric Todisco →

Topics

Instagram the New York Times

Subjects

Cruise PERSON · 4× Iñárritu PERSON · 3× Alejandro González Iñárritu PERSON · 1× Instagram ORG · 1× Oleksinski PERSON · 1× Tom PERSON · 1× Tom Cruise PERSON · 1× the New York Times ORG · 1×

Narrative

“Digger” director Alejandro González Iñárritu admitted his Tom Cruise-led movie “is not perfect” after it received scathing reviews and had a disastrous opening weekend at the box office.
framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-10-06
2026-10-06 · New York Post
‘Digger’ director weighs in on scathing reviews of Tom Cruise film after disastrous opening weekend · assertive framing

Claims (19 extracted, 0 hedged)

“Digger” director Alejandro González Iñárritu admitted his Tom Cruise-led movie “is not perfect” after it received scathing reviews and had a disastrous opening weekend at the box office. asserted
it → admit → office
“I think definitely it’s an uncommon film. asserted
it → think → ?
It’s a provoking film,” Iñárritu, 63, told the New York Times in an interview published Monday. asserted
Iñárritu → ’ → interview
The filmmaker noted that he likes “taking risks” and prefers polarizing reactions to his projects, rather than a “lukewarm reception.” asserted
he → note → reception
“That’s the role of a film for me — let’s start the conversation,” he explained. asserted
he → ’ → conversation
“My personal taste is films that try to tell me something in a different way.” asserted
that → try → way
But Iñárritu did concede that other people have contrasting opinions about cinema. asserted
people → concede → cinema
“There’s people that want more certainty in the storytelling, and that’s OK too,” he told the outlet. asserted
he → ’ → outlet
So, yeah, we expected that, to be honest.” asserted
we → expect → that
Oleksinski also wrote that Iñárritu’s “pretentious frame story” causes viewers to “not take about 90% of the movie seriously and to zone out for long stretches.” asserted
viewers → write → stretches
The film, which cost $135 million (or more) to produce, also failed to perform well in theaters, earning just $8 million domestically in its opening weekend. asserted
which → cost → weekend
That’s Cruise’s lowest opening weekend performance in the US since his 2007 film “Lions for Lambs,” which opened to $6.7 million. asserted
which → ’ → million
“Tom is still beloved, but I don’t think people want to see him in a fat suit and makeup — they want to see him as the action hero,” an industry told us. asserted
industry → think → us
Cruise has never won an Academy Award, though he was given an honorary Oscar at the 16th Governors Awards last November. asserted
he → win → Awards
Despite the negativity surrounding “Digger,” Cruise said he was “so proud” of the film in an Instagram post over the weekend. asserted
he → surround → weekend
“‘DIGGER’ is officially in theaters and I am so honored to have had the opportunity to create this film alongside such talented artists,” he wrote. asserted
he → honor → artists
Cruise added, “The experience was truly unforgettable and I’m so proud of what we created.” “Digger” is in theaters now. asserted
Digger → add → theaters
Conversation Your voice matters. asserted
voice → matter → ?
Discussions are moderated for civility. asserted
Discussions → moderate → civility
💬Give feedback
🕘History 🎫Support
Terms · Privacy · beta v2.0.0
Articles to 2 Nov 2026