Digger underperforms as Malaysian listings show broad cinema run

The local booking

The listings here show Digger playing at 55 Malaysian cinemas, with 628 sessions listed for this week. The entries cover Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pulau Pinang, Johor, Kedah and Perak.

The distributor's synopsis labels the film a black comedy and highlights IMAX as a format. The listings here include IMAX sessions alongside other premium formats.

Malay Mail reports that Digger has grossed US$14.4 million in North America and US$35.3 million globally after two weeks in cinemas. The report says industry insiders expect cumulative losses of about US$245 million. It also reports that the production cost between US$160 million and US$180 million before marketing.

A costly overseas run

Malay Mail reports that Christopher Rosen of The Ankler called the film a financial disaster. The report says marketing for a film of this scale can cost up to US$100 million.

Free Malaysia Today reports that Daniel Loria of Boxoffice Pro viewed Digger as an art-house film that was marketed as a general-audience release. Loria said its satire pushes audiences towards uncomfortable territory and criticises American culture through the perspective of a non-American filmmaker.

The same Free Malaysia Today report says the film's box office performance is closer to the type of work associated with Iñárritu than to a conventional blockbuster. It attributes that view to Loria, who said Iñárritu's films are more concerned with an artistic endeavour than with their box-office total.

A divided critical response

Free Malaysia Today reviewed Digger as a darkly comic satire about greed, climate change, power and humanity's desire to control events. The review says the film follows oil tycoon Digger Rockwell, played by Cruise, after reckless drilling causes a global environmental catastrophe.

Free Malaysia Today reports that the film gives Cruise a character-driven role rather than one built around action sequences. The review highlights his altered appearance, Southern swagger and a single-take monologue lasting almost 12 minutes.

The review also describes the film as visually dreamlike and says its ensemble delivers strong performances. It notes that the satire, theatrical style and pace may test some viewers, while describing the film as divisive.

The listings here give Digger a 129-minute running time. Sessions by cinema are available through the showtimes listings.