Tom Cruise Thanks ‘Digger’ Team as the Film Opens Softly

Tom Cruise is publicly celebrating the people who made Digger even as the ambitious satire faces a difficult opening weekend. In a social media message, the star thanked the cast and crew for their dedication and described the production as an unforgettable experience.

A personal message meets a challenging debut

Cruise’s statement focused on gratitude rather than ticket sales. He said he was proud of the film the team created with director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, sharing behind-the-scenes images as the movie arrived in North American theaters.

The trade press, however, is tracking a steep commercial challenge. Deadline estimated an opening of about $8 million, while The Hollywood Reporter placed the film in roughly 3,300 North American locations and reported a production budget of $125 million. Those are preliminary weekend estimates, not final totals, but they point to an unusually soft launch for a Cruise-led studio release.

Audience response is also mixed. The film received a C+ CinemaScore, and The Hollywood Reporter reported that its critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes stood at 51 percent during the weekend. The thriller Verity was expected to lead the domestic chart with approximately $33 million.

Cruise takes a rare swing away from franchises

Digger casts Cruise as Digger Rockwell, a wealthy oil tycoon whose actions trigger a natural disaster. Riz Ahmed, John Goodman and Sandra Hüller also appear in the dark comedy. The role gives Cruise a conspicuous physical transformation and moves him away from the action-driven franchise work that has defined much of his recent career.

That creative shift is part of the movie’s appeal and part of its risk. Iñárritu has positioned the project as a major original satire rather than a sequel built on an established brand. Warner Bros. is also treating it as an awards-season play, meaning its long-term performance may depend on reviews, conversation and staying power rather than one weekend alone.

The opening nevertheless creates a demanding road ahead. Cruise’s message did not dispute the estimates or argue with audiences; it centered the labor behind the film. For now, that keeps his response measured while the industry waits for final weekend numbers and a clearer picture of whether Digger can find momentum after its initial release.