Digger Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
What happens when the person holding the most power on the planet is also the one who set a catastrophe in motion? That question sits at the heart of Digger, a darkly comic drama from director Alejandro G. Iñárritu.
The premise follows the world’s most powerful man as a disaster of his own making spirals toward global ruin. Instead of simply facing the consequences, he throws himself into a desperate race to recast himself as the hero, the one figure capable of rescuing humanity. Time is short, and the damage keeps spreading.
The film’s listed themes point to a sharp satirical target. They include capitalism and greed, the oil industry, climate change, environmental disaster, corporate power and the size of one man’s ego. Redemption is also among them, which suggests a story about whether someone at the top can really change course.
Tom Cruise leads the cast as Digger Rockwell. The tagline sums up the tone: “A man. A plan. A meltdown.” Expect a farcical, audacious and politically charged ride rather than a conventional disaster film.

What Makes Digger Notable: Cast, Director and Context
Director and writers: Alejandro G. Iñárritu directs and co-wrote the screenplay with Alexander Dinelaris, Nicolás Giacobone and Sabina Berman.
Cast: The ensemble is one of the film’s biggest draws:
- Tom Cruise as Digger Rockwell
- Riz Ahmed as Dr. Nirav Ganesh
- John Goodman as President Compson
- Sandra Hüller as Emma Rockwell
- Michael Stuhlbarg as Vice President Eddie
- Jesse Plemons as Kenny
- Robert John Burke as General Fitzgerald
- Emma D’Arcy as Lina
- Burn Gorman as Defense Secretary Amos
- Sophie Wilde as Hannah
Genre and tone: Digger blends comedy and drama. Its keywords describe it as a dark comedy and political satire that is aggressive, audacious and farcical, with a cast of characters that reaches into the White House and the military.
Production: This is an American production from Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures and Domain Entertainment. The original language is English, and the film also features Spanish, French and Mandarin dialogue. The runtime is 129 minutes.
Digger review status: We don’t offer personal reviews. At the time of writing, TMDB lists an average audience score of 7.5/10 based on 433 votes. Critics’ verdicts will become clearer as the film reaches wider audiences.
Who Will Enjoy Digger
- Fans of biting political and corporate satire
- Viewers drawn to dark comedies about power, greed and ego
- Audiences interested in stories touching on climate change and environmental disaster
- Followers of Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s work and fans of Tom Cruise in an unexpected role
- Anyone who enjoys big, star-packed ensemble casts
Digger Release Date and Where to Watch
Worldwide release: Digger’s first release date is listed as 28 September 2026.
United States: The film opens in cinemas on 2 October 2026. It is rated R.
Streaming: No streaming or digital rental options are listed for the US yet. As a Warner Bros. Pictures release, it is expected to arrive in theatres first. Home viewing details have not been announced.
Trailer: An official trailer has been released.
Trailer
Cast
Tom Cruiseas Digger RockwellSee credits →
Riz Ahmedas Dr. Nirav GaneshSee credits →
John Goodmanas President CompsonSee credits →
Sandra Hülleras Emma Rockwell
Michael Stuhlbargas Vice President Eddie
Jesse Plemonsas KennySee credits →
Robert John Burkeas General Fitzgerald
Emma D'Arcyas Lina
Photo: TMDB
FAQ
- When is Digger released?
- Digger's worldwide release date is listed as 28 September 2026. In the United States, it opens in cinemas on 2 October 2026.
- Where can I watch Digger?
- In the US, Digger is a theatrical release, so cinemas are the place to see it first. No streaming platforms are listed yet, and home viewing details have not been announced.
- Who is in the cast of Digger?
- Tom Cruise stars as Digger Rockwell. He is joined by Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons, Robert John Burke, Emma D'Arcy, Burn Gorman and Sophie Wilde.
- What is Digger about?
- It is a dark comedy-drama about the world's most powerful man. After unleashing a disaster, he races to prove he is humanity's saviour before the damage becomes total. The film satirises greed, corporate power and climate inaction.
- How long is Digger and what is it rated?
- Digger runs 129 minutes and is rated R in the United States.

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