Tom Cruise returns to the big screen this week in "Digger 15," a climate crisis satire directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu. The film, running 129 minutes, features Cruise as Digger Rockwell, an obnoxious oil tycoon whose reckless drilling sets off a catastrophic environmental disaster. Despite the film’s intention to tackle urgent ecological themes, it has drawn criticism for its execution and performances.

The narrative centers on Rockwell’s actions, which trigger a series of megatsunamis that inundate northern Europe. In the aftermath, the film portrays a range of responses from Digger’s entourage, including his half-sister Emma (Sandra Hüller), scientific adviser Ganesh (Riz Ahmed), and a portrayal of a hawkish U.S. president played by John Goodman. The president’s character draws clear parallels to former U.S. President Donald Trump, complete with mannerisms and attire resembling Trump, though some viewers find this satire ineffective and overly familiar.

Cruise’s performance, marked by the use of a fat suit and bombastic theatrics reminiscent of his earlier role as Les Grossman in "Tropic Thunder," has been met with mixed reviews. Critics note that while the “big stunt” approach has long been part of Cruise’s action genre appeal, here it comes off as forced and overly exaggerated, detracting from the film’s intended gravitas. The supporting cast, including Hüller and Ahmed, reportedly embrace a cartoonish style that contributes to an overall tone some describe as exhausting and lacking subtlety.

The film’s central plot incorporates an unexpected twist, aiming to provide a deeper conceptual shift that might redeem its flawed elements. However, critics suggest this effort falls short, leaving the film’s message muddled. The closing sequences emphasize a bleak outlook, asserting that the environmental crisis has passed the point of resolution and placing blame on the average Western consumer’s lifestyle choices.

"Digger 15" invokes comparisons to Stanley Kubrick’s "Dr. Strangelove" in its attempt at dark satire, but opinions differ on whether it achieves a similarly sharp critique. The film’s tone, described by some as sanctimonious and heavy-handed, has raised questions about its effectiveness as a commentary on climate change, especially given Cruise’s status as a high-profile Hollywood figure with substantial personal wealth.

"Digger 15" is set for theatrical release on Friday.