Co-star Jesse Plemons is giving audiences their first real look at Digger, the new film joining Tom Cruise with director Alejandro González Iñárritu. In a recent interview with Variety, Plemons compared the movie to Dr. Strangelove, Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 nuclear satire that remains one of cinema’s defining dark comedies.
“It’s one of the strangest, funniest, most tragic scripts I’ve read,” Plemons told the outlet. “There’s a kind of modern-day Dr. Strangelove thing, and then it becomes something else entirely. Getting to see Tom just go for it — not in a death-defying action way but fully showing what an incredible actor he is — that was thrilling.”
The focus on Cruise’s performance stood out. For years, the actor’s reputation has been built on blockbuster stunts and precision-driven action roles. Plemons’s comments suggest Digger might highlight Cruise’s range instead of his appetite for high-risk spectacle.
Reports describe Digger as a “brutal, wild comedy of catastrophic proportions,” centered on a powerful global figure who tries to convince the world he is a savior. Analysts say that premise points to a political satire, filtered through Iñárritu’s intense and often uncomfortable style. The director is known for Birdman and The Revenant, both Oscar winners that tested the physical and emotional limits of their casts.
That track record suggests he won’t take an easy route here. Film historians note that Iñárritu’s demanding process often leads to powerful performances — and public tension. His grueling work on The Revenant helped Leonardo DiCaprio win his first Oscar, but also left the crew exhausted.
Cruise, by contrast, is known for total control on set. His Mission: Impossible films are built around meticulous planning and calculated chaos. Working with Iñárritu flips that formula, pushing Cruise into unfamiliar territory where precision gives way to improvisation. Whether that clash sparks brilliance or breakdown remains to be seen.
Plemons seems confident it will pay off. “Getting to see Tom just go for it,” he said, hinting that the result could mark a defining moment in the actor’s career.
The film’s release in October places it squarely in the middle of awards season. Iñárritu’s history with the Academy is strong, and the Dr. Strangelove comparison points toward a prestige satire rather than simple entertainment. Cruise’s recent honorary Oscar adds extra intrigue, signaling either a long goodbye to competitive categories or the beginning of a comeback story.
With a cast that includes Sandra Hüller, Riz Ahmed, and John Goodman, Digger looks built for contention. The question is whether Cruise can convince audiences he is more than the action icon he’s been for decades. Analysts say the answer could define his legacy in Hollywood.
Early industry buzz suggests strong reactions on both sides. If the film delivers what Plemons describes, Cruise could earn the Oscar that has eluded him. If not, Digger may join the list of ambitious projects that missed their mark but became legend in hindsight. Either way, few expect it to be ignored.
***
English (US) · 