If you're one of the most charismatic men in the world, what you actually believe is much less important to people.

From what I've heard he's a legit nice dude.

I think about that interview with Spielberg where he refused to make a comment about Julia Roberts. Julia Roberts only ever appeared in one Spielberg movie. He's Steven Spielberg, he doesn't have to work with assholes if he doesn't want to.

Tom Cruise has appeared in multiple Spielberg movies. I take that as a sign he's not an asshole. He's just in a fucked up cult.

No likely about it.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/inside-will-and-jada-pinkett-smiths-scientology-school

Also Tom and Will are both Scientologists (or were, I don't keep up) so that part at least cancels out.

True, he doesn't push it on outsiders. He is number two in the cult though and makes speeches and stuff for them regularly. His best friend is the head guy.

Didn't he jump on Oprah's sofa yelling about how they're going to save the world?

Dude understands what makes a movie work. So if Tom Cruise is involved with a movie it's likely to be really good.

It's a kind of "say what you will about Tom Cruise, but the man knows story structure" kind of things.