Anne Hathaway gives Tom Cruise’s ‘Digger’ a perfect 10/10 despite mixed reviews

Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway has given Tom Cruise's latest film Digger a perfect 10/10 rating, describing it as a "brilliant movie" despite its mixed critical reception and disappointing box-office performance.

The Oscar-winning actress shared her assessment on the film-review platform Letterboxd, which she recently joined, praising director Alejandro G Iñárritu's unconventional approach to storytelling and the film's combination of dark humour, satire and visual ambition. "I loved this brilliant movie," Hathaway wrote, adding that she found it smart, unusual, aggressive, funny and ambitious.

Encouraging audiences to experience the film and form their own opinions, she concluded her review with a perfect 10/10 rating. Her enthusiastic response stood in contrast to the divided critical reception of the film, which has struggled to attract audiences despite Cruise's star power and the involvement of the Academy Award-winning filmmaker.

A divided response

Directed by Iñárritu, Digger features Cruise as Digger Rockwell, a powerful oil tycoon who attempts to save humanity from an environmental catastrophe that he helped unleash.

The dark satirical comedy explores themes of corporate power, environmental destruction and personal responsibility through an unconventional narrative. The film also stars Riz Ahmed, Sandra Hüller, Jesse Plemons and John Goodman. Although its ambitious premise and distinctive filmmaking style have attracted praise from some critics, others have questioned its execution, resulting in sharply contrasting reviews.

The film opened to approximately $8 million at the North American box office, a modest result for a production headlined by one of Hollywood's biggest stars. By Thursday, its worldwide collections had reached approximately $24.9 million, according to reported box-office figures.

Hathaway's film fares better

Hathaway's endorsement has drawn particular attention because her latest film, Verity, opened around the same time as Digger and performed considerably better commercially. The psychological thriller, which also stars Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett, had earned more than $70.8 million worldwide by Thursday.

Despite the commercial competition between the two releases, Hathaway publicly expressed admiration for Cruise's film and encouraged moviegoers not to be discouraged by its mixed reviews. Her Letterboxd activity also revealed her appreciation for other films. She awarded five stars to Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey and listed Moonstruck, It Happened One Night, Mirror and Phantom Thread among her favourites.

Cruise thanks film team

Following the film's underwhelming opening, Cruise expressed gratitude to the cast and crew for their work on the project. In a post on X, the actor said he was honoured to have collaborated with the artists involved in the production and described the filmmaking experience as unforgettable. He thanked the team for its dedication and enthusiasm, adding that he remained proud of what they had created together. Cruise has also indicated that he does not approach filmmaking solely with opening-weekend box-office numbers in mind, emphasising the importance of the creative process and the theatrical experience.

Hollywood voices support

Hathaway is not the only prominent Hollywood figure to praise Digger despite its mixed reception. Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has defended the film's cinematic ambition, while director Ron Howard and actor Glen Powell have also spoken positively about the project. Their endorsements have contributed to a wider discussion about the film's artistic merits and whether its unconventional approach might find greater appreciation over time.

Meanwhile, Hathaway and Cruise are scheduled to work together in a sequel to the 1990 racing drama Days of Thunder. The upcoming film is currently scheduled for release on June 2, 2028, marking their first on-screen collaboration. Hathaway's enthusiastic review has brought renewed attention to Digger, offering a contrasting perspective on a film that has divided critics and audiences since its theatrical release.