Rating of
3/4
“Level 4.”
Matthew Brady - wrote on 11/08/26
I dug Digger (pun intended). It's been a week since I saw it, and with each passing day, the film gets better. Some movies crumble under reflection, but this one doesn't.
It's one of the most original movies out recently. If you are tired of endless IP films and want something original, you should see it. Admittedly, the film hasn't been well advertised; no one seems to know what it's about, and it doesn't look audience-friendly. Even though I was on the fence about seeing it in theaters, I'm glad I did.
Critics have been far too harsh on this one. It deserves a better reception. Perhaps over time, it will build a following once the dust settles. I think they went in expecting a major Oscar contender, but it never set out to be.
At first, around the 10-20-minute mark, I wasn’t sure I'd like this one. I knew it was a political satire comedy in the same vein as Dr. Strangelove, but I found it annoying and forced, and the humor didn't land. Every actor on screen was super over-the-top, and I wasn't vibing with it. However, a huge twist 30 minutes in made everything click for me, and that's when I got on board. One criticism of the film is that the humor isn't funny, but I 100% believe that was intentional and that people misunderstood it. Obviously, I don't want to spoil the twist, but it made the film more interesting and was a huge, risky swing that I think works.
Tom Cruise is excellent here and a refreshing break from his action roles. People forget he can act, and I hope the underwhelming reaction doesn't discourage him from taking on more interesting roles. It feels like a lifetime since he's actually played a character.
One of the most impactful messages I took from this is that art can help us emotionally and mentally, but it can't save the world. It can't save or change the world, but it can distract us long enough to get back to our miserable lives. Worse, we are heading toward a future not far from the dystopian settings we see in stories. Global warming is real; those in charge know it, and we know it, but nothing effective is being done. The same goes for society. The most frustrating part is that no one takes it seriously, and everyone acts like an ignorant buffoon. Our downfall is the funniest joke of them all. We sure do love digging that hole we put ourselves in, deeper.
