1. Tom Cruise and the Case of the Melting Face
Somewhere between Top Gun: Maverick and “Wait, is that actually Tom Cruise or a wax sculpture?”—the 62-year-old action icon’s face became a trending topic. And not in the way he probably wanted.
Enter: film critic and national mischief-maker Jonathan Ross, who recently took time out of his day to assess Cruise’s facial topography. His verdict? The man has a “Play-Doh face.”
That’s right. Play-Doh. The soft, endlessly shapeable modeling compound loved by toddlers and now, apparently, Botox enthusiasts.
2. “He Doesn’t Look Like Him Anymore”—Thanks, Jonathan
Ross didn’t stop there. Speaking on his Reel Talks podcast, he lobbed some deeply backhanded compliments at Cruise:
“He still looks good for his age…but you can see there’s been a bit of tweaking going on there, you know.”
That’s British for: “His face is holding on tighter than a Real Housewives cast member’s fourth facelift.”
Ross continued:
“I’ve met him up close. He’s a really nice man…but he’s got that kind of Play-Doh face that people get when they have a lot of filler.”
Translation: lovely guy, uncanny valley.
3. The Super Bowl Incident: A Turning Point in Face Watching
Tom’s Super Bowl appearance earlier this year wasn’t about touchdowns. It was about temples. Specifically, how Cruise’s face had morphed from “rugged action star” to “handsome Minecraft avatar.” Fans were alarmed. Viewers were confused. Dermatologists were… intrigued.
Twitter did what it does best: unleash chaos. “Is Tom Cruise wearing a Tom Cruise mask?” one user asked. Others speculated that maybe we’re witnessing the first known case of a human deepfake evolving in real time.
Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt together at the #F1 premiere 🏎️
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@culturecrave.co) 2025-06-23T20:23:08.861Z
4. Doctors (Real Ones) Diagnose the Play-Doh
So what does science say? According to plastic surgeons—yes, the real ones, not your aunt who once watched Nip/Tuck—Tom’s new look has filler written all over it.
Here’s a breakdown of what Cruise may or may not have done, but definitely probably did:
A. Dermal Fillers
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Hyaluronic Acid Fillers like Juvederm or Restylane can plump the cheeks and nasolabial folds (smile lines).
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If overused, or poorly placed, it leads to the infamous “pillow face” look—a term that’s less cute than it sounds.
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Cruise appears to have that slightly “inflated” mid-face zone with softened lines and jaw definition that’s now more marshmallow than Mission Impossible.
B. Botox
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Botox (aka the world’s most popular poison) can smooth forehead lines, crow’s feet, and angry frown lines.
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In Tom’s case, it’s likely been deployed across the forehead and glabellar region (that space between the eyebrows) with military precision.
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The result: a face that hasn’t expressed shock since War of the Worlds.
Spencer Tracy at 63 vs Tom Cruise at 62
— Aabra C. Mastodon, PDX Stereotype (@acjaggard.bsky.social) 2025-06-19T06:05:20.251Z
C. Fat Grafting or Microfat Injections
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Some surgeons believe Cruise may have opted for fat transfer, which uses your own fat to fill facial volume loss—like a natural version of filler.
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This can give a plumper, more “youthful” appearance. Or, in some cases, like you slept face-down in a marshmallow for six months.
5. No, It’s Not Just Kale and No Booze (Nice Try)
A few outlier experts have suggested Cruise’s appearance is due to dramatic weight loss, clean eating, and eliminating carbs. Because, yes, spinach and sobriety are powerful—but they don’t typically erase crow’s feet and add volume to your cheeks simultaneously.
Let’s be honest: no amount of celery juice makes a 62-year-old man’s under-eyes look like that. Unless that celery is soaked in injectable filler.
6. The Real Plot Twist: Ana de Armas
Here’s where things get delicious. Cruise is rumored to be dating Ana de Armas, 37, actress, Bond girl, and all-around goddess of glowing skin.
Is Cruise trying to visually de-age to match his partner? It wouldn’t be the first time a man remade himself to impress a hot younger girlfriend. And in Hollywood, nothing says “I love you” like $30,000 worth of injectables and a commitment to cryotherapy.
Ana has stayed silent (because she has dignity), but recent paparazzi snaps show Cruise strutting beside her with the tight-jawed confidence of a man who knows his filler hasn’t migrated—yet.
7. Social Media Reacts (as it always does)
The internet didn’t disappoint:
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“That man is one needle away from a wax museum.”
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“Tom Cruise looks like someone ran the Snapchat smooth filter through an espresso machine.”
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“Did he CGI his own face in real life?”
Even Jerry Maguire jokes made a comeback:
“Show me the collagen!”
8. At Least His Body’s Still in the Game
Despite facial fluffiness, let’s give credit where it’s due: Cruise remains shredded. The man hangs off planes and runs across rooftops like he’s trying to escape the inevitability of human decay.
He’s allegedly refused Ozempic and other weight-loss drugs, reportedly choosing to stick with his old-school regimen: cardio, clean eating, and screaming motivational phrases into mirrors.
Physically, he’s every bit the action hero. It’s just the face that makes you pause and wonder if you’re watching a deepfake from 2032.
9. The Final Take: Play-Doh or PR Perfection?
Tom Cruise’s face is either:
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A tribute to modern dermatology.
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A misunderstood masterpiece of aging.
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Or an effort to dazzle Ana de Armas with boyish charm.
Whatever it is, the man still runs faster than most people in their 30s and jumps out of planes without blinking. So maybe, just maybe, he’s earned a few vials of cheek filler. Or a hundred.
In the end, Tom Cruise remains a blockbuster—a face with a million dollars of mystery packed under one immovable forehead.
📚 Sources
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The Independent: Jonathan Ross slams Cruise’s “Play-Doh face”
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RadarOnline: Tom Cruise refusing Ozempic, focused on Ana de Armas romance
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RichlandMD: Plastic surgeon analysis of Cruise’s mid-face and forehead
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SheFinds: Experts weigh in on suspected filler and Botox
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BoredPanda: Social media reactions to Super Bowl appearance
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TikTok & Reddit: Public commentary on Cruise’s evolving face
