What To Watch This Weekend! – ‘Digger’, ‘Verity’, & Other Highlights

This weekend brings us a pair of interesting theatrical releases for very different reasons. In one corner, there is Digger, the satirical black comedy starring Tom Cruise that was meant to be his next shot at awards season glory but has been met with divisive and polarizing reviews. In the other corner is Verity, the erotic psychological thriller based on a bestselling Colleen Hoover novel but, most importantly, is the fifth and final release of the year for Anne Hathaway, who is having one of the best moments of her career. Verity is receiving critical reviews that have been commonly associated with Hoover adaptations as of late, but it’s likely going to prove to be the victorious choice of the two films because the day-by-day the Digger response has made it more of a niche cinephile choice rather than a must-see Cruise vehicle, and it’s going to pull in women who are fans of the novel and are enticed by seeing its three attractive leads becoming entangled with each other. However, should the Cruise and Hathaway showdown not be a priority, there are some home viewing options to also consider.

What’s Opening In Theaters?

Digger finally arrives after a lot of buzz that had it touted as a possible Oscar contender ahead of its release, although a lot of that has changed since critics finally checked the film out. Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and from a script he co-wrote with Sabina Berman, Alexander Dinelaris Jr., and Nicolas Giacobone (with story credit also going to Jez Butterworth), Digger follows Digger Rockwell (Cruise), a wealthy oil tycoon who has to race to prove he’s humanity’s last hope when his company causes a potential world-ending disaster that could destroy everything as we know it. The film also stars Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Huller, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Jesse Plemons.

Digger is a big example of how pre-release hype can morph into something else entirely. When the first image was released of Cruise in silhouette and shadow with his face obscured, many jumped to the conclusion that Digger would be Cruise’s next Oscar-nominated moment. The mystery surrounding the film played into this notion, but there was also the case of Iñárritu, a polarizing director but one who is no stranger to awards season things to films like Birdman and The Revenant. Cruise had been coasting through his action-hero phase thanks to Top Gun: Maverick and the Mission: Impossible films, so many were excited to see the actor take some chances again with a director who would challenge his abilities. It all seemed so exciting until the first reactions to Digger emerged, and they were divisive to say the least. Some labeled it a masterpiece while others called it a baffling and self-indulgent misfire. This was brought home once the review embargo was lifted, with the film currently sitting at 54 percent with a not-too-encouraging 65 percent audience score. Look, Digger was never going to be Mission: Impossible for Cruise, but his name could’ve been enough to generate interest in this offbeat tale; his star power may not be enough to pull in casual moviegoers. Tracking for the film continues to drop, with some saying it could debut below double digits this weekend, and as Warner Bros.’ final release of the year (and before their merger with Paramount Pictures), they’re closing things out on a very low note. After a banner, record-breaking release schedule last year, the studio hasn’t had a release cross the $100 million mark at the domestic box office, and Digger is going to be another loss (it’s reported to have cost as much as $180 million to make). Cruise’s Oscar nominations may not be shot, as even the bad reviews say he’s quite good in the film, but Digger likely won’t play to the mainstream crowd, which might make the actor play around with popcorn entertainment movies for the foreseeable future.

Likely to be the top choice for moviegoers this weekend is Verity, a psychological erotic thriller directed by Michael Showalter and written by Nick Antosca. Based on the Colleen Hoover bestselling novel of the same name, Verity follows Lowen Ashleigh (Dakota Johnson), a writer in desperate need of work who is contacted by Jeremy Crawford (Josh Hartnett), the husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford (Anne Hathaway). A mysterious accident has made Verity unable to finish her popular book series, and Jeremy has tasked Lowen with finishing it. However, while working on the project, Lowen discovers a mysterious manuscript that raises questions about Verity’s psychological well-being, with the answers possibly being found in her publications.

Let’s get this out of the way now: The reviews for Verity are dismal at 40 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics are calling it ridiculous, absurd, trashy, and other adjectives that one would think could turn off audiences, but this seems like a film that is critic-proof to its core. Campy and trashy? Bring it on; at least it sounds like a fun time at the movies and a step in a different direction compared to other Hoover adaptations. Verity seems more in line with The Housemaid, an erotic thriller that scored with audiences, rather than the more dramatic and overwrought Hoover works that have hit the big screen. Also, it should be noted that the adaptations of her novels have all been successful to varying degrees at the box office. It Ends with Us pulled in $351 million worldwide on a $25 million budget despite all of that Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni mess. Regretting You soon followed and legged it out to $90.5 million globally on a $25 million budget. Then, earlier this year, Reminders of Him was a modest hit with $89 million earned worldwide, also on a $25 million budget. The studios keep her movies cheap, and the return on investment is high because Hoover’s fanbase shows up for them. Verity’s budget is higher at $40 million, but it also has a more high-profile cast with Hathaway, Johnson, and Hartnett. Their presence also helps Verity even more because their names carry weight, particularly Hathaway, who has had one hell of a year with five releases, a possible Oscar nomination on deck for her role in The Odyssey, and what could be her third first-place finish on the calendar with Verity. Pre-sales were strong ahead of the weekend, and various box office sites say walk-ups are healthy, which could lead to a possible $30 million+ weekend. Let this be yet another lesson that women are viable at the box office, and they will show up for and make an event out of the films they care about.

For those seeking a creature feature fix, Beware Boiúna could be right up your alley. Directed by Mike P. Nelson and written by Nelson, Alan B. McElroy, and Tony Giglio, Beware Boiúna. follows a routine humanitarian medical mission deep in the Amazon rainforest that turns into a desperate struggle for survival when their presence awakens a giant mythical serpent known as the Boiúna. The film stars Kiana Madeira, Jessica Rothe, and Logan Marshall-Green.

Beware Boiúna premiered at Fantastic Fest and scored mostly positive notices for being a fun creature feature and the Anaconda sequel we truly deserved. The movie sits at 61 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, not bad for a film like this, and it appears it provides a suitable check-your-brain-at-the-door entertainment for those seeking it. The movie opens in limited release before likely going off to potential cult classic status.

Also opening in a limited capacity is The Influencer Project, a psychological found-footage horror film directed by Mike Nybroe and written by Nybroe, Anders Jon, and Lars Andreas Pedersen. The film follows content creator Chiara King, starring as a fictionalized version of herself, as she travels to Copenhagen with a documentary crew to highlight the realities of online fame. However, the documentary turns into a game of survival when an obsessive stalker begins tracking her every move.

The Influencer Project doesn’t have a Rotten Tomatoes score, but a glance at the eight posted reviews suggests mixed reception. The film is said to have an interesting concept, but it’s not executed well, and it feels muddled, while others say it’s simply not scary. On the other hand, some say it’s an eerily effective thriller that cleverly blurs the line between reality and fiction, as well as pointing out the dangers of living your life online. This one looks like it’s in very limited release so it might be a hard one to find.

Another option for moviegoers is Donnie Darko returning to theaters for its 25th anniversary in a new 4K restoration. Written and directed by Richard Kelly in his directorial debut, Donnie Darko is set in 1988 and follows the titular character (portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal), a troubled teenager who escapes what should’ve been a life-ending accident by sleepwalking. Also concerning are his visions of Frank, a mysterious figure dressed in a rabbit costume who warns him that the world is going to end in 28 days. The film also stars Jena Malone, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary McDonnell, Katharine Ross, Patrick Swayze, Noah Wyle, Beth Grant, James Duval, Holmes Osborne, Drew Barrymore, and Seth Rogen.

The cult classic returns to theaters via Fathom Entertainment and Saga Arts and has been remastered with a 4K presentation that also includes an introduction by writer and director Richard Kelly that looks back at the film’s legacy. The re-release runs through Oct. 4, and tickets are available via major theater chains or Atom Tickets and Fathom Entertainment.

What To Watch At Home

Home viewing brings two fairly recent releases, with one getting a shot at a theatrical run after Warner Bros. planned to dump it, while Andrew Garfield tried to make a Robin Hood tale relevant to the box office to no avail. On the television side, it looks like Netflix has scored with the East of Eden miniseries while HBO Max has chosen to go to War with satisfying results.

Hitting digital this week is Coyote vs. Acme, a live-action animated legal comedy featuring a mix of live-action performers and beloved members of the Looney Tunes IP. Directed by Dave Green and written by Samy Burch, who is working from a story by James Gunn, Jeremy Slater, and Burch, Coyote vs. Acme is based on the 1990 The New Yorker magazine article “Coyote v. Acme” by Ian Frazier. In the film, Wile E. Coyote enlists a billboard attorney named Kevin Avery (Will Forte) to sue the Acme Corporation for repeatedly selling him faulty products used in his frequent encounters with the Road Runner. The film also stars John Cena, Lana Condor, Tone Bell, Luis Guzman, Martha Kelly, P.J. Byrne, Kenneth Choi, and Eric Bauza, who leads the voice cast.

Coyote vs. Acme’s road to the big screen is a triumphant one, but it wasn’t without its hurdles. Warner Bros. Discovery initially shelved the finished film in November 2023 to use it as a tax write-off. The decision resulted in immediate backlash, especially since Warner Bros. did the same thing with the nearly finished Batgirl film. Making the move even more head-scratching was that test screenings were said to be VERY good, with some comparing the film favorably to the acclaimed Who Framed Roger Rabbit? After the backlash grew to a fever pitch, Warner Bros. reversed the decision and allowed the filmmakers to seek other distributors for the film. The situation grew dire when negotiations didn’t pan out with our suitors, but like a beacon of light, in walks Ketchup Entertainment, which acquired the rights for $50 million in March 2025. The gamble paid off, with Coyote vs. Acme grossing $110 million worldwide to date, and now the film can find even more of an audience now that it’s available at home. With a 96 percent Rotten Tomatoes score and an equally impressive 94 percent audience reaction, the sky is now the limit for Coyote vs. Acme.

Hitting digital after a quick box office run is The Uprising, an action period drama written and directed by Paul Greengrass. In the film, which dramatises the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt in England, Ploughman (Andrew Garfield) leads a rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II (Woody Norman) in a battle for justice. The true story is said to have inspired the legend of Robin Hood. The movie also stars Jonny Lee Miller, Thomasin McKenzie, and Katherine Waterston.

The big news this film made ahead of its release was adding The Rise of Robin Hood to its title in the marketing and then suddenly removing it. Perhaps Focus Features realized Robin Hood isn’t exactly a surefire box-office draw (see The Death of Robin Hood from over the summer). Whether they thought adding it would make it more appealing or not, it still came off as a little confusing, especially since it wasn’t really necessary. Whatever the title turned out to be, no one really showed up for The Uprising in theaters, with the film grossing a mere $8.1 million on a $20 million budget. It could find new life at home with the older demo, but reviews may still hurt it. The reactions were mixed at 56 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and the audience score was so-so at 65 percent. It could be that interest just isn’t all that high for this latest effort from Garfield and Greengrass.

Hitting Netflix is the historical limited drama series, East of Eden, created by Zoe Kazan and adapted from John Steinbeck’s 1952 novel of the same name. The miniseries, set from the late 19th century to World War I, centers on the life of Cathy Ames (Florence Pugh), half-brothers Adam and Charles Trask (Christopher Abbott and Mike Faist) in Connecticut, as well as the life of Adam’s fraternal twin sons Caleb and Aron (Joseph Zada and Joe Anders).

East of Eden was most famously adapted for the big screen in 1955 by director Elia Kazan and starred James Dean, Julia Harris, Richard Davalos, Raymond Massey, Jo Van Fleet, and Burl Ives. While well-received, especially because it involved the short but prolific career of Dean (it also earned him an Oscar nomination), the movie only dealt with the fourth and final part of the book. The miniseries gets to dive into the novel a bit more across seven episodes, with a bit more depth. Reviews are solid at 85 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics especially praising the performances of Pugh, Abbott, and Faist. All episodes are now on Netflix, and don’t be surprised when this earns some television awards play when the time comes.

Also debuting is the legal drama series War, created by George Kay. The first season follows two law firms in London, Cathcarts and Taylor & Byrne, whose rivalry comes into play when they take on a divorce case between a tech entrepreneur and his movie-star wife. The first season stars Dominic West, Sienna Miller, Phoebe Fox, James McArdle, Pip Torrens, Nina Sosanya, and Archie Renaux.

War was ordered for two seasons, with Season 2 focusing on the two law firms taking on a high-profile defamation case. Season 2 will feature Marisa Tomei, Kelly Macdonald, David Harewood, and Richard Schiff, and it looks like it will have the goodwill of Season 1 on its side. The series is fresh at 84 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics saying it spices up the typical format of series that focus on lawyers and their scandalous cases. Episode one premiered on Oct. 1, and future episodes will drop weekly on HBO Max through Nov. 19.

Check back next week when we fill you in on What To Watch!

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