A trailer for Digger introduced an intriguing, almost unrecognizable Tom Cruise in a film with an intense Doctor Strangelove-like atmosphere. Directed by four-time Oscar winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu, the movie marks his first English-language film since 2015’s The Revenant.

Those elements quickly pushed Digger near the top of my must-see list. Given Iñárritu’s track record, the film also seemed poised to become prime Oscar bait. Even without many details about the plot, the combination of Cruise, Iñárritu, and the film’s unsettling tone generated considerable anticipation.

Major spoilers appear below the gallery.

Digger Becomes One of the Year’s Biggest Box-Office Bombs

Instead of becoming an awards-season success, Digger became one of the year’s biggest box-office bombs. The film collected just $20 million worldwide during its opening weekend against a budget of $125 million—and probably more.

Critics and audiences have been sharply polarized. Some viewers appreciate Iñárritu’s bold and creative choices, while others find the film virtually unwatchable. The movie has also inspired outspoken praise and a vocal defense squad, adding to the debate surrounding its divisive reception.

A Climate-Change Film That Defies Easy Comparisons

Digger is not at all what I expected. Although it is closer to absurdist theater than satire or dark comedy, the film uses the atmosphere of Doctor Strangelove to confront climate change.

The movie does more than challenge its viewers. It deliberately throws the audience off balance, with its excesses sometimes pushing the limits of patience. Iñárritu ultimately sticks the landing with a savagely moving third act, when the final pieces of his vision fall into place.

That approach is also certain to irritate, if not completely alienate, some viewers. I can understand why many people hate Digger: it is an intense and demanding experience. I simply reached the opposite conclusion.

How Tom Cruise Came to Star in Digger

Iñárritu came up with the idea for the character Digger shortly after finishing The Revenant.

“I knew who this character was. I knew how he spoke, how he survived, how he seduced reality into agreeing with him.”

He shared those comments with Variety in July.

The project was initially developed at Netflix, with Leonardo DiCaprio considered as a potential star. Netflix ultimately chose DiCaprio for Don’t Look Up instead. Some viewers have compared Digger to Don’t Look Up because both films involve climate change, but the two movies are otherwise completely different.

The project eventually caught the attention of Tom Cruise, who had long been a fan of Iñárritu’s work. That interest brought the actor and director together—and Digger was born.

Is Digger Worth Watching?

Digger is an aggressively unconventional film that refuses to offer an easy viewing experience. Its unusual tone, climate-change themes, and divisive creative choices will likely frustrate some audiences. For viewers willing to embrace its absurdism and intensity, however, the film’s powerful third act may make the journey worthwhile.

Whether it becomes an awards contender or one of the year’s most notorious box-office disappointments, Digger has already succeeded at one thing: giving audiences plenty to argue about.