Tom Cruise's latest film, the dark comedy "Digger," has had a difficult launch in theaters, earning an estimated $20 million worldwide during its opening weekend. The film, directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, garnered $8 million domestically and $12 million internationally.
This initial box office performance falls significantly short of covering the movie's substantial $160 million production budget. The marketing costs are not yet factored in, suggesting "Digger" faces an uphill battle to achieve profitability.
The film's plot centers on an "oil tycoon facing a mounting environmental catastrophe as politicians and scientists struggle to contain the crisis." "Digger" features an ensemble cast including Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Emma D'Arcy, and Jesse Plemons, with Cruise appearing heavily disguised.
Despite being a notable release, "Digger" has struggled to attract a broad audience. Critical reception has also been mixed, with a 51% favorable rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences appear divided, with some reviews calling it one of the year's worst while others are optimistic about Cruise's performance. IGN provided a 6/10 review, noting "excellent performances and more than a few laughs" but questioning the film's impact on discussions about global warming.
Cruise shared a message on X (formerly Twitter) on October 3, expressing pride in the film and thanking the cast and crew. However, "Digger" was unable to compete with other releases over the weekend. Dakota Johnson's "Verity," an adaptation of a Colleen Hoover novel, dominated the domestic box office, taking in $32.6 million domestically and $30 million internationally for a global total of $62.6 million.
Other films performing well included Zach Cregger's "Resident Evil" in second place, the Brad Pitt-led "Heart of the Beast" in third, and Robert Pattinson's "Primetime" in fourth. Even with a decline after its re-release, "Avengers: Endgame Encore" continues to hold the title of the highest-grossing theatrical release of all time.
"Digger" has a significant challenge ahead to recover from its slow start at the box office.