Unrecognizable Tom Cruise fails to win over critics in Digger with mere 52% on Rotten Tomatoes

Frankie CollinsWed, September 30, 2026 at 1:38 AM UTC

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The new blockbuster failed to impress, drawing just a 52% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. -Credit:Warner Bros. Pictures via AP

Tom Cruise may have turned heads with a striking new look at the Digger premiere, but his latest movie has had a much rougher reception from critics.

The 64-year-old Hollywood star arrived at the London event sporting reddish hair, a noticeable switch from his familiar dark locks. But as reviews began arriving, the new blockbuster failed to impress, with its dismal debut drawing just a 52%% critics’ score on the film review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes.

The divided reception to the new movie comes after Tom refused to deny the long-running rumors that he is an intense presence on movie sets.

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In the new film, Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, a wealthy oil tycoon scrambling to save the world from a disaster he helped create. The dark comedy is directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind Birdman and The Revenant.

His red hair makeover should not be confused with his look in the movie. On screen, Cruise is transformed with makeup and prosthetics into a paunchy character with thinning gray hair.

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Cruise (right), showed off a dramatically different appearance for the movie -Credit:Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved

The star’s dramatically different appearance had helped fuel anticipation for a rare departure from the action roles that have dominated his recent career. But critics are sharply split on whether the gamble works.

Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian called Digger “the most disappointing film of the year,” while TheWrap’s William Bibbiani said it was “the kind of movie about evil billionaires that evil billionaires would enjoy.” Boston Globe critic Odie Henderson was equally unimpressed, writing that Cruise “gets to grandstand and overact in downright embarrassing ways.”

But the reviews weren’t all brutal. Phil de Semlyen gave Digger four stars in Time Out and pushed back on complaints about its humor, writing, “Don’t listen to anyone who tells you it isn’t funny.”

Some fans also chimed in, adding, "Digger is an ambitious and effective satire that benefits tremendously from Tom Cruise’s committed performance."

The divided reception comes after its star-studded premiere, attended by the Prince William and Princess Kate -Credit:FilmMagic

Another penned, "Digger is truly a one of a kind movie the kind of film only Alejandro G. Iñárritu could take under his wing It’s wild. Bombastic. Insane. Brilliant. Dark. Depressing. And almost impossible to fully describe without diving deep into spoilers."

Digger’s London premiere on September 22 was a glamorous affair. Prince William and Princess Kate joined Cruise on the red carpet, alongside cast members and other famous guests.

The night also put the spotlight on Cruise’s reddish hair, giving the longtime Hollywood leading man a fresh look before audiences had seen his full transformation on screen.

The cast includes Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, and Michael Stuhlbarg. Digger is scheduled to open in US theaters on October 2.

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”