Odysseus embarks on a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca following the Trojan War, encountering treacherous creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus and Sirens.
Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Samantha Morton, Zendaya, Charlize Theron
Release Date: July 17, 2026
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Rated R for violence and some language.
Runtime: 2h 52m
Review:
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is an epic in every sense of the word as he manages to meld the grandeur of classic sword and sandal epics and elements of Ray Harryhausen into something that’s as engrossing as it is soulful. The film is filled with massive set pieces that are meticulously set up and shot to deliver something impressive due to the sheer scale of the endeavor since any one of these moments could have served as a finale in any other blockbuster. There are a multitude of sequences that are sure to capture the imagination of this generation much in the same way 1981’s Clash of Titans became embedded in the zeitgeist. Much like that film, Nolan doesn’t shy away from indulging in some of the more horrific elements of the story especially during Odysseus’ encounter with the Cyclops where he gives us a living recreation of the famous painting depicting Saturn Devouring His Son. His run in with Circe is sure to make a segment of the audience squirm as it leans heavily into David Cronenberg style body horror. Those moments leave a lasting impact, but they’re balanced by more grounded elements like the sacking of Troy which is revealed slowly as its intertwined into the overall narrative. Those sequences possess a certain level of tension even though the outcome is well known a testament to the staging and brevity that leaves the story thread linger in the air until Nolan comes back to it much like he did in his breakout film Memento. Through it all there’s an undercurrent of humanism as Odysseus is rightfully portrayed as a complicated man who gives in to his hubris at various points during his journey. Matt Damon is able to balance the character’s intellect and brashness with impressive ease as he recounts his journey to a Charlize Theron’s nymph Calypso. He gives the older version of his character a tangible sense of mournful regret as he reflects on where his intelligence led him, his men and his family. It’s an impressive turn across the board that’s propped up by strong turns from the film’s galaxy of A list stars. Tom Holland and Anne Hathaway hit the right tone for both characters as they await Odysseus and deal with suitors. Holland brings his earnest, hopeful energy to Telemachus while Hathaway adds layers of doubt and anger to Penelope that gives the character more nuance and depth especially in the film’s final act. Robert Pattinson and Corey Hawkins get the lion’s share of the screentime, focusing on the suitors with both giving their characters an appropriate level of unearned smarmy entitlement that makes their comeuppance feel all the more cathartic during the final act. John Leguizamo and Samantha Morton both make the most of their screentime with both delivering memorable supporting turns for different reasons. The use of modern vernacular for the dialogue, with the cast using their natural accents, takes some getting used to and it never quite gels with the visuals thrown onscreen with it proving to be a minor distraction throughout the film. Purists will likely be disappointed with these abridged versions of events and along with some portions of the story changed entirely. Minor nitpicks aside, The Odyssey succeeds on so many levels to deliver the kind of cinematic epic we rarely see nowadays, cementing Nolan’s place as one of the top directors of this generation.
A
