Affleck Defends 'Digger' Against Mockery as Film Faces $245M Loss

Ben Affleck defended Tom Cruise's film 'Digger' against public mockery, comparing the wave of derision to high-school bullying and warning that punishing movies that take risks will lead studios to make more homogenized films, according to Variety.

Affleck said people who have not even seen the movie are celebrating its failure. The film, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and starring Cruise as an oil tycoon facing the end of the world, has drawn a mixed critical reception even as some in the industry have praised it publicly.

'Digger' opened in theaters on October 2, 2026, and has earned $15 million at the domestic box office, with a 53% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Its production budget was over $160 million, with a marketing budget reported at $100 million.

Variety reported that the film is expected to lose Warner Bros. around $245 million, which would make it one of the costliest flops in studio history. The gap between its reported budgets and its domestic gross has made the film a focal point in discussions about big-budget risk-taking.

Some prominent voices have come out in support of 'Digger.' Musician Neil Young recently posted on his website that it is 'the best film I have ever seen.' Actor Mandy Patinkin called it an 'instant classic' and 'one of the greatest pieces of film I have ever seen in my entire life.' Anne Hathaway wrote on Letterboxd that she loved the film and rated it 10/10.