Anne Hathaway Defends Tom Cruise’s “Digger” as ‘Brilliant’ After It Bombs at Box Office: ‘Decide for Yourself’

In an intriguing turn of events in Hollywood, Anne Hathaway took to Letterboxd on October 7 to share her enthusiastic review of Tom Cruise’s latest film, “Digger,” which has generated intense debate among critics and audiences alike. The actress rated the film a full five stars and encouraged viewers to experience it for themselves, despite its rocky start at the box office.

“Digger,” which has been described as a satirical dark comedy, follows the journey of an oil tycoon determined to prevent a global disaster. Released to theatres on September 22, the film garnered mixed reactions, with some regarding it as “brave” and “audacious,” while others found it “baffling.” At the time of Hathaway’s review, the film had earned $8 million in its opening weekend in the United States.

In her praise for the film, Hathaway, 43, expressed her admiration in a heartfelt message, calling it “smart, trippy, aggressive, funny and ambitious.” She emphasised the importance of forming one’s own opinion, stating, “I loved this brilliant movie. It’s worth making the time to see and decide for yourself what you make of it. For me? 10/10.”

This review marks Hathaway’s first public commentary on Letterboxd since she opened an account on the platform in April. Though she had logged various films earlier this year, her recent feedback primarily focused on projects in which she starred, such as “The Odyssey” and “Verity.” Interestingly, her endorsement of “Digger” appears to have resonated well with users, as it quickly became one of the most popular reviews on the site.

The collective response on Letterboxd, where “Digger” holds an average rating of 3.8 out of 5 from over 2,300 users, indicates that the film has sparked considerable interest. However, professional critics remain divided: as of October 8, only 52% of the approximately 300 critics who contributed to Rotten Tomatoes expressed favourable views, contrasting with 73% of general audiences who gave it a thumbs-up.

Hathaway’s enthusiasm for “Digger” comes on the heels of the announcement made in August regarding her collaboration with Cruise on a sequel to the classic 1990 NASCAR film “Days of Thunder,” slated for release in 2028. This upcoming project has stirred excitement among fans of both actors, marking their first on-screen partnership.

In addition to Hathaway, fellow actor Glen Powell, who has developed a strong bond with Cruise since working together on “Top Gun: Maverick,” shared his own acclaim for “Digger.” He labelled it “pure cinematic joy” in a post on social media after attending the film’s premiere on September 28.

Hathaway’s own film, “Verity,” is currently performing well at the box office, having outperformed “Digger” with an opening weekend gross of $32 million following its release on October 2. An adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, “Verity,” which also stars Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett, has garnered attention and seems to resonate with audiences.

As Hathaway continues to make waves on platforms like Letterboxd, fans are left wondering if her opinions will shape the discourse around future films. As both “Digger” and “Verity” continue to screen in cinemas, it remains to be seen whether the public will gravitate more towards Hathaway’s commendation of “Digger,” or the critical acclaim surrounding her own project, “Verity.”

In a cinematic landscape where opinions can make or break a film’s fortunes, Hathaway’s enthusiastic endorsement of “Digger” is a notable contribution to the conversation surrounding this divisive work. With such fervent backing from industry peers, it highlights the unpredictable nature of film appreciation and audience reception.