AI-rewritten: This is a summary of an article from Ars Technica, rewritten by AI (Qwen, running locally) to make it easier to read. The facts come from the original article – read it for the full story.

---

The film *Digger* stars a nearly unrecognizable Tom Cruise in a role that resembles absurdist theater rather than the Dr. Strangelove-style satire many expected. It is directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, who previously made *The Revenant* and *Bardo*. The movie opened with a mere $20 million globally against a budget of $125 million, causing it to be called one of the biggest bombs of the year. While some critics found the film unwatchable, the reviewer considers it a champion despite its polarizing nature.

The plot involves Digger Rockwell, played by Cruise, who conspires with US President Compson (John Goodman) to hide news about an explosion in Greenland that threatens Europe. A major twist reveals they are actors on a stage set performing a play called *Fossil Fools*. The reviewer notes the film features a terrific cast and describes Cruise’s performance as phenomenal, comparing it to his work in *Magnolia*.

The story concludes with a character named Kenny (Jesse Plemons) revealing that the events being satirized happened 25 years ago. He explains that the play serves as a cathartic outlet for people who lost loved ones in the global tragedy. The reviewer suggests the film might become a beloved cult classic, similar to *Blade Runner*, even though it remains a financial failure and was marketed incorrectly by Warner Bros.