Brief
Guillermo del Toro defends “Digger” as bold, complex cinema
The Oscar‑winning director used X to champion Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s film amid low scores and weak ticket sales.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Guillermo del Toro took to X on Oct. 2, 2026, to defend Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s new Warner Bros. release “Digger,” calling the R‑rated black comedy “daring, bold and cinematically complex.”
What happened
“Digger” opened Friday to a 51% Rotten Tomatoes rating and earned just $3.4 million domestically on its first day, with opening‑weekend estimates around $7.5 million. Variety critic Owen Gleiberman said the film feels “full of itself” and questioned its commercial viability.
What the reports add
Del Toro compared the backlash to early reactions to “The Big Lebowski,” “The King of Comedy” and “The Counselor,” films that later gained appreciation. He also reposted positive reviews, including praise for Tom Cruise’s lead performance.
What was said
Del Toro wrote, “Love it or not. And yes, I do. The film delivers in scale, ambition and reach at a theatrical screen level.” Tom Cruise later posted, “Honored to have had the opportunity to create this film alongside such talented artists.”
How it came about
Del Toro’s earlier defense on Oct. 2 highlighted the film’s theatrical intent, linking it to controversial works like Ken Russell’s “The Devils.” The current backlash follows mixed critical reviews and a modest box‑office debut.
Key facts
- Guillermo del Toro defended "Digger" on X, calling it daring and complex. (variety.com)
- "Digger" holds a 51% Rotten Tomatoes rating. (variety.com)
- The film earned $3.4 million domestically on its first day. (variety.com)
- Variety critic Owen Gleiberman said the film feels "full of itself" and may not connect with audiences. (variety.com)
- Tom Cruise posted gratitude for the film’s cast and crew on X. (variety.com)
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “Guillermo Del Toro Defends ‘Digger,’ Calls the Film ‘Daring, Bold and Cinematically Complex’”
