The first trailer for Digger has finally clawed its way out of the dirt, and honestly, it looks like the most unhinged thing Tom Cruise has done since he strapped himself to the side of a plane. The film, which hits theaters on September 30, casts Cruise as Digger Rockwell, a guy who believes he’s the messiah of the moment - even though he’s supposedly the one who caused the disaster in the first place. It’s a comedy, yes, but from director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, you know it’s going to be the kind of comedy that makes you laugh nervously while questioning the fabric of existence.
The Plot, Such as It Is
According to the official synopsis, Digger Rockwell is "the most powerful man in the world" who goes on a frantic quest to prove he’s humanity’s savior - right before the catastrophe he unleashed wipes everything out. If that sounds like a darkly satirical spin on modern ego and global influence, you’re probably on the right track. Iñárritu isn’t exactly known for light, fluffy fare, and even when he’s working in a comedic register, there’s usually a knife hidden somewhere in the cushion. The trailer leans into that tension, showing Cruise’s character sprinting, sweating, and delivering monologues at a pace that suggests he’s either genuinely trying to save the world or desperately trying to save his own reputation.
The 128-minute runtime suggests this isn’t a quick punchline. There’s room for the story to breathe, which is probably necessary when you’ve got a cast this loaded and a premise that could easily tip into total absurdity without a steady hand. Cruise is joined by Riz Ahmed as Ganesh, John Goodman as President Compson, Sandra Hüller as Emma, Michael Stuhlbarg as the Vice President, Jesse Plemons as Kenny, Emma D'Arcy as Lina, and Robert John Burke in a supporting role. That’s the kind of ensemble that usually means everyone gets at least one scene to chew the scenery, and Plemons alone is worth the price of admission if his past work is any indication.
The Iñárritu-Cruise Collision
This project marks a fascinating meeting of minds. On one side, you have Cruise, the ultimate action movie star who still does his own stunts and plays earnest, driven characters with a straight face. On the other, you have Iñárritu, the director behind Birdman and The Revenant, who tends to favor long takes, visceral chaos, and a sharp eye for human folly. Watching Cruise play a character who might be a delusional egomaniac or a genuine hero - or both - feels like a match made in cinematic heaven. The trailer suggests Iñárritu is leaning fully into Cruise’s persona, letting him play a version of the "savior complex" that’s been a thread through much of his on-screen work, but with a satirical edge.
It’s also worth noting that this is a straight-up Hollywood production, in English, with an industry pedigree that doesn’t need translation. Iñárritu has bounced between Spanish and English language projects over the years, but this one is firmly in the latter camp, which means audiences won’t have to read subtitles while Cruise is trying to outrun the apocalypse. The comedy genre tag is interesting, though. Fans expecting a pure action thrill ride in the style of Mission: Impossible might be surprised by how much the trailer leans into absurdity, awkward pauses, and the kind of situational irony that comes from a man insisting he’s the answer while clearly being the problem.
Release Timing and Buzz
With a release date of September 30, Digger is positioning itself as a fall season play, not a summer blockbuster. That timing often signals awards-season ambitions, though the comedy label might complicate that narrative. Iñárritu has never been shy about mixing genres, and Birdman walked away with Best Picture, so nobody should count this out just because it’s funny. The TMDb rating is currently a blank slate at 0/10, which makes sense since the trailer just dropped and there’s no audience feedback yet. Early buzz from the trailer circuit, though, suggests that Cruise playing a blowhard with apocalyptic delusions is exactly the kind of weird, star-driven swing that could either be a masterpiece or a glorious train wreck.
Either way, it’s going to be worth watching. The combination of Cruise’s relentless physicality, Iñárritu’s visual ambition, and a script that clearly wants to poke fun at powerful men who think they’re god’s gift to humanity - that’s a recipe for something memorable. Whether audiences embrace the tonal mix of comedy and catastrophe remains to be seen, but if the trailer is any indication, this is going to be one of those films people either love or argue about for years. Mark your calendars, because September 30 is shaping up to be a wild ride.
Source: The Times of India
