Tom Cruise gets bold – and brilliant – in ‘Digger’

Tom Cruise stars as oil tycoon Digger Rockwell in Alejandro G Iñárritu's darkly comic satire "Digger". This film, which premiered in Malaysia, is a divisive one, with Rotten Tomatoes giving it a score of just 51%. However, its surreal and larger-than-life world, along with a compelling performance by Cruise, may be worth the effort.

The 129-minute film tackles big issues like greed, climate change, power, and humanity's struggle to control the uncontrollable. Set in an ornately framed world, "Digger" asks its audience to immerse themselves in its satire, which may not always be comedic but forces viewers to think about the real world.

Cruise delivers a character-driven monologue in a single take, showcasing his transformation as Rockwell, a Southern swaggering oil tycoon with a Texan accent and heavier physique. Riz Ahmed plays a scientist caught in the environmental crisis, while John Goodman portrays a farcical and almost cartoonish President Compson.

Iñárritu's decision to blend reality and make-believe worlds adds depth to the film, forcing viewers to question the issues at its core. While some may find the film's self-indulgent and self-aware nature off-putting, its visually dreamlike quality and stellar performances make it a thought-provoking cinematic experience.