Riz Ahmed: Tom Cruise’s Digger Offers a Unique Experience Unlike Any Other

Riz Ahmed recently shared his excitement about the incredible experiences he’s had while filming Digger, the latest project from director Alejandro G. Iñárritu. Known for his groundbreaking works like the one-take masterpiece Birdman and the haunting western The Revenant, Iñárritu’s new film presents a unique and original narrative, a refreshing change for Tom Cruise, who hasn’t starred in a non-IP story in over a decade.

In Digger, Cruise plays a character who inadvertently brings chaos to the world and embarks on a journey to redeem himself, striving to prove he is humanity’s savior rather than its destroyer. In a recent chat, Ahmed kept details under wraps but expressed how consistently amazed he was by Cruise’s dedication on set.

“Honestly, I’ve never experienced anything like it before. Tom is so motivated, focused, hardworking, and inspiring. The energy and positivity he brings are unbelievable. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen,” Ahmed shared. “And then there’s Alejandro, with his meticulous attention to detail and ambitious vision. Every day feels like, ‘Wow, this is kind of nuts.'”

Ahmed also touched on the film’s technical aspects, which were hinted at in the stunning teaser. Much of the visual brilliance can be attributed to cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, who has already earned two Oscars for his work on Birdman and The Revenant, and seems poised to deliver another exceptional performance.

Reflecting on Lubezki’s process, Ahmed said, “I felt compelled to break character and ask, ‘What are you doing? What is this setup?’ He uses grays, but not just one type—he has like 10 or 16 different shades to create various nuances. The level of craft and attention to detail is astounding. It pushes you to bring your best. It’s inspiring, but definitely intense.”

Fans will have to wait a bit longer to see just how intense the film gets when Ahmed, Cruise, Jesse Plemons, Emma D’Arcy, John Goodman, and Sandra Hüller bring Digger to theaters on October 2.