'Digger' director Alejandro González Iñárritu admits Tom Cruise film is ‘not perfect’

Alejandro González Iñárritu has acknowledged that Digger is “not perfect” while defending the Tom Cruise film’s polarising response from critics and audiences.

The filmmaker told The New York Times that he is comfortable with viewers having strong reactions to the movie, saying he would prefer that to a lukewarm response. “I prefer that to the lukewarm reception,” Iñárritu said.

Iñárritu admitted that “the movie is not perfect” but said he remains committed to taking risks with his filmmaking. He described Digger as an uncommon and provocative film designed to start conversations rather than provide a conventional viewing experience.

“I like taking risks,” the director said, acknowledging that some viewers prefer greater certainty in storytelling. He compared the experience of watching the film to ice cream, saying it is not something that needs to appeal to everyone.

Digger stars Cruise as Digger Rockwell, an eccentric oil baron whose actions contribute to an environmental catastrophe. Iñárritu described the movie as a disaster film in which humanity itself is the disaster, using the story to explore the relationship between people and the natural world.

The film has received a sharply divided response. Digger currently holds a 51 per cent critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, while its audience score stands at 71 per cent. On Metacritic, the film has a 46 out of 100 score from critics compared with 66 from users.

That mixed response has also been reflected at the box office. Digger opened with approximately $8 million domestically, marking Cruise’s lowest US opening weekend since 2007’s Lions for Lambs. The film also opened behind Verity, Resident Evil and Heart of the Beast at the domestic box office.

Despite the disappointing opening, Cruise has expressed pride in the film. The actor praised the cast and crew for their dedication and described the experience of making Digger as unforgettable.

For Iñárritu, however, the divided reaction appears to be part of what he wanted from the project. Rather than seeking universal approval, the director has emphasised his preference for films that challenge audiences and encourage them to discuss their ideas and themes.