Mixed first reactions from early press screenings and weak presales have sharply lowered expectations for Tom Cruise and Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s satirical black comedy *Digger*, positioning the sub-$17 million opening as the dominant market outcome. Critics have praised Cruise’s committed lead performance and Emmanuel Lubezki’s cinematography but flagged uneven satire and limited mainstream appeal, echoing concerns over the film’s $125 million-plus budget and non-franchise positioning. Tracking has slid from earlier $20–29 million estimates, with presales lagging comparable releases amid competition from *Verity*. Full reviews and final weekend walk-up data ahead of the October 2 wide release remain key swing factors for traders.