Tom Cruise’s new film *Digger* has prompted sharply divided early reactions, with critics variously calling it audacious and ambitious or chaotic and unenjoyable. The response marks a notable change from Cruise’s recent run of broadly popular blockbusters, as the film is his first original movie in nearly a decade.

Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, *Digger* stars Cruise as oil tycoon Digger Rockwell, who tries to rescue humanity from a catastrophe he caused. The film also features Riz Ahmed, John Goodman and Sandra Hüller, was shot entirely in VistaVision, and reunites Iñárritu with cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki; it is due for release on 2 October. Reactions praise the cast, production design and bold ideas, but disagree over whether the film’s unusual tone and major twists succeed.