Tom Cruise has spent years persuading audiences to watch him attempt the impossible. With Digger, the challenge is different: convincing moviegoers to embrace an eccentric, darkly comic character who bears little resemblance to his familiar action heroes.

Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, the film arrives in US cinemas on October 2, 2026, carrying considerable expectations. Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, an oil tycoon confronting a catastrophe connected to his company’s actions. It is a conspicuous departure for an actor whose recent screen identity has been shaped by spectacular stunts and blockbuster franchises.

Yet the conversation before release has increasingly turned from Cruise’s transformation to a more uncomfortable question: how many people will buy a ticket?

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A costly film facing a modest opening

According to Koimoi’s September 30 report, Digger was tracking for a North American opening below $15 million, against a reported production cost of approximately $125 million. These are reported estimates, rather than confirmed earnings or a final accounting of the film’s costs.

That gap explains the concern surrounding Warner Bros.. An expensive production needs sustained attendance, and a subdued debut would place greater pressure on subsequent weekends and overseas markets.

An opening forecast cannot establish a film’s eventual profit or loss. It can, however, reveal how much work remains for the campaign.

Reviews have complicated the pitch

The critical response has been sharply divided. People reported reactions ranging from admiration for the film’s audacity and Cruise’s commitment to criticism of its scale, coherence and tone.

For potential ticket buyers, that creates an uncertain proposition. Cruise’s presence attracts attention, but attention does not automatically translate into enthusiasm for an unfamiliar kind of film.

The promotional campaign has leaned into that disagreement. The Guardian described advertising that places harsh reactions alongside praise, using the controversy itself to generate interest. Whether that approach encourages curiosity or deepens hesitation remains an open question.

Why ‘Verity’ makes the weekend more intriguing

The Hollywood Reporter expects Digger to open substantially behind Verity, the Amazon MGM Studios adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel. hollywoodreporter.com

Starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett, Verity is also scheduled to open on October 2. Its psychological-thriller premise centres on a writer who discovers a disturbing manuscript while completing another author’s book series.

From a marketing perspective, an established novel and a recognisable thriller setup could offer a more immediate hook. Digger, by comparison, asks audiences to take a greater leap into unfamiliar territory.

The audience verdict is still ahead

Cruise has clearly committed to that leap. At the London premiere, Reuters reported that his transformation involved prosthetics and a padded bodysuit, alongside a demanding performance.

The commercial outcome remains unresolved. Strong audience recommendations could give Digger momentum beyond its initial forecasts. A weak response would make its financial challenge harder.

For now, the film’s biggest suspense lies beyond the screen: whether curiosity about Cruise’s unusual gamble becomes an opening-weekend ticket purchase.

The cult horror gaming universe is officially heading to Hollywood. A film adaptation of Dead by Daylight is moving forward with Icelandic filmmaker Thordur Palsson tapped to direct the project, marking a major step in bringing one of gaming’s most intense survival experiences to the big screen.

The adaptation is based on the globally popular multiplayer horror game developed by Behaviour Interactive, which has built a massive fanbase since its release through its unique asymmetrical gameplay—where one killer hunts multiple survivors in a constantly shifting nightmare environment.

The game’s premise, centered around survival, fear, and psychological tension, has long been considered ideal material for a cinematic adaptation. Now, with Thordur Palsson attached as director, expectations are rising that the film could aim for a grounded yet atmospheric horror approach rather than a typical action-heavy video game adaptation.

Palsson, known for his work in dark, character-driven storytelling, is expected to bring a more cinematic horror sensibility to the franchise. While official plot details remain tightly under wraps, industry observers suggest the film may explore original characters trapped in the game’s brutal “Entity” universe, where survival is never guaranteed.

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The popularity of Dead by Daylight has already expanded beyond gaming, featuring crossovers with iconic horror franchises such as Halloween, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Stranger Things. This built-in horror legacy gives the upcoming film a rich foundation to draw from, blending original lore with familiar horror mythology.

For Behaviour Interactive, the adaptation represents another major milestone in the game’s evolution from cult multiplayer title to mainstream entertainment brand. The studio has steadily expanded the game’s universe through seasonal updates, character additions, and narrative expansions that deepen its eerie lore.

Fans of the franchise are particularly eager to see how the film translates the game’s signature tension—where every decision can mean life or death—into a cinematic format. The challenge for Palsson will be preserving the unpredictable horror mechanics that define the game while delivering a coherent narrative for a broader audience.

Hollywood’s growing interest in video game adaptations has already seen mixed results in recent years, but projects rooted in strong atmospheric storytelling, like Dead by Daylight, are often viewed as having stronger cinematic potential due to their built-in tension and visual identity.

As development moves forward, more casting and production details are expected to be revealed in the coming months. For now, the announcement alone has already sparked excitement among both horror fans and gamers who have long imagined how the terrifying world of Dead by Daylight might look on the big screen.

More about the game’s background can be found here:

Veteran American actress Anne Schedeen, widely remembered for her role as Kate Tanner in the iconic sitcom ALF, has died at the age of 77, according to a family statement shared on social media.

The announcement described her as someone who lived a vibrant and expressive life, leaving behind what was called an “extraordinary legacy of creative energy, whip-smart humor, delight in her family, adoration for little dogs, passion for second-hand thrifting, and love for a good story.”

The tribute also included a personal and politically charged detail that quickly drew attention online, mentioning her “burning hatred for Trump,” reflecting her outspoken personality and willingness to share strong opinions beyond her acting career.

Best known for her role in the 1980s sitcom ALF, Anne Schedeen became a familiar face in American households during the peak of the show’s popularity. The series followed the Tanner family and their unusual extraterrestrial guest, ALF, and became a cultural phenomenon of its time.

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The show ALF remains one of the most recognizable sitcoms of the late 20th century, largely due to its unique blend of comedy and science fiction. Schedeen’s performance as the grounded and often exasperated family matriarch helped balance the show’s absurd humor with emotional realism.

Beyond her most famous role, Schedeen built a steady career in television, appearing in multiple series and TV films throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Her work showcased a range that extended well beyond comedy, earning her respect among peers in the entertainment industry.

Born and raised in the United States, Anne Schedeen pursued acting with a passion that eventually led her to Hollywood, where she became part of a generation of television actors who defined an era of family-centered sitcoms.

Her passing has prompted tributes from fans who grew up watching ALF, many of whom expressed nostalgia for the warmth and humor of the show. Social media platforms have been filled with clips, memories, and personal stories about how the series shaped childhoods during the 1980s and early 1990s.

While her career is primarily remembered for television success, those close to her describe her as someone who valued creativity, storytelling, and authenticity in both her professional and personal life.

The family statement highlighted her love for simple joys, including thrift shopping and caring for animals, painting a picture of someone deeply connected to everyday experiences despite her fame.

As the entertainment world reflects on her legacy, Anne Schedeen is being remembered not only as a sitcom star but as a personality who embraced life with humor, honesty, and individuality.

Her role in ALF continues to live on through reruns and streaming platforms, introducing her work to new generations of viewers who may be discovering the series for the first time.