Anne Hathaway has given Tom Cruise’s latest film, Digger, a perfect 10 out of 10 rating, describing it as a “brilliant movie” despite its mixed reception among critics and a relatively disappointing start at the box office. Her enthusiastic response has brought fresh attention to the Alejandro G. Iñárritu-directed film, highlighting the differences that can emerge between professional reviews, audience reactions, and the personal opinions of fellow actors. Hathaway’s praise also encourages viewers to approach the film with an open mind rather than relying entirely on its early critical reception.
The Oscar-winning actress recently joined Letterboxd, a popular platform where film enthusiasts record their viewing experiences, rate movies, and share reviews. Her review of Digger quickly attracted attention because of the exceptionally high score she awarded the film. Rather than offering a brief endorsement, Hathaway explained what appealed to her about the project, praising its unusual storytelling, humour, ambition, and distinctive cinematic style. Her comments suggest that the film’s unconventional approach was a major part of its appeal.
In her review, Hathaway wrote, “I loved this brilliant movie,” before elaborating on her experience of watching it. She continued, “It’s smart and trippy and aggressive and funny and ambitious. It’s worth making the time see and decide for yourself what you make of it. For me? 10/10.” Her words reflect a strong personal connection with the film and an appreciation for its willingness to take creative risks. By encouraging viewers to form their own opinions, she also acknowledged that a film’s impact can vary considerably depending on individual tastes and expectations.
Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Digger centres on an oil tycoon who attempts to prevent a natural disaster that he himself has caused. The premise combines environmental consequences with a character-driven narrative, creating opportunities for satire, dark humour, and dramatic conflict. The story’s focus on a powerful businessman confronting the fallout of his own actions gives the film a potentially provocative dimension, particularly at a time when environmental responsibility and corporate accountability remain subjects of public debate.
Iñárritu is known for pursuing distinctive filmmaking approaches, and Digger appears to continue that tradition through its ambitious premise and unconventional tone. Such creative choices can make a film stand out, but they can also divide audiences. Some viewers may appreciate its unusual humour and willingness to challenge familiar storytelling conventions, while others may find its style difficult to connect with. Hathaway’s review indicates that she responded positively to precisely those qualities that can make experimental cinema a subject of debate.
Mixed critical reviews have accompanied the film’s release, demonstrating that its creative ambitions have not produced a universally positive response. However, disagreement among critics does not necessarily determine whether a film will find an audience over time. Movies with unusual narratives or challenging themes can generate contrasting interpretations, with some viewers valuing their originality while others prefer more conventional storytelling. Hathaway’s enthusiastic assessment offers one prominent example of how personal appreciation can differ from the broader critical conversation.
Beyond Digger, Hathaway also gave a five-star rating to The Odyssey, adding another highly regarded title to her recent Letterboxd activity. Her list of favourite films included four other notable productions: Moonstruck, It Happened One Night, Mirror, and Phantom Thread. The selection spans different filmmaking periods and styles, suggesting an appreciation for a range of cinematic traditions rather than a preference limited to contemporary commercial releases.
The inclusion of these films provides a small glimpse into Hathaway’s interests as a movie enthusiast. From romantic comedy and classic Hollywood storytelling to more unconventional cinema, her selections reflect the variety of experiences that films can offer. Although a short list of ratings cannot fully explain an actor’s artistic preferences, it gives fans an opportunity to see how someone working within the film industry responds to movies outside their own projects.
Hathaway’s endorsement comes at a time when her latest film, Verity, starring Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett, has reportedly performed more strongly at the global box office than Digger. The reported worldwide earnings for Verity had exceeded $70.8 million as of Thursday, while Digger had collected approximately $24.9 million. The difference illustrates the contrasting commercial fortunes of the two films, although box office figures alone cannot establish their artistic value or explain the reasons behind their respective performances.
A film’s commercial success depends on several factors, including marketing, audience awareness, release timing, genre appeal, competition from other titles, and word of mouth. Critical reception can influence public interest, but it is only one part of a broader equation. Some films attract audiences through familiar storytelling and broad entertainment appeal, while others depend on curiosity, star power, or the reputation of their creative teams. For Digger, its unusual premise and mixed reviews may contribute to a more complicated path towards attracting a wider audience.
Despite the film’s relatively modest early box office performance, Tom Cruise publicly expressed appreciation for the people who worked on the production. Following its theatrical release, the actor shared a message on X acknowledging the contributions of the cast and crew. Cruise wrote, “Digger is officially in theaters and I am so honored to have had the opportunity to create this film alongside such talented artists. Thank you to the entire cast and crew for your dedication, hard work and joy. The experience was truly unforgettable and I’m so proud of what we created.”
His statement emphasised the collaborative nature of filmmaking and his pride in the completed project. Box office results often dominate conversations about major releases, particularly when they involve internationally recognised stars, but the production process also involves the work of writers, directors, cinematographers, editors, designers, and numerous other professionals. Cruise’s comments placed the focus on that collective effort rather than solely on the film’s commercial performance.
