‘The Odyssey’ Review: A Christopher Nolan Epic for the Ages

Christopher Nolan is back, retelling one of the oldest surviving stories in history, but this time on the big screen. Fresh off the success of Oppenheimer, director Christopher Nolan’s take on the Homeric epic has finally arrived in theaters, and it’s worth seeing the film on the biggest screen possible.

The Odyssey began as an oral tradition that was later written down in ancient Greece, traditionally attributed to Homer (though the story of who Homer might’ve been is an Odyssey in itself). Nolan’s epic, The Odyssey, shot entirely in IMAX, is a breathtaking adventure and a major feat in filmmaking.

Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Is a Faithful and Brilliant Adaptation

The Odyssey is the epic tale of Odysseus (Matt Damon), the man who ended the Trojan War by devising the Trojan Horse, and his subsequent decades-long journey home to his kingdom of Ithaca. During the nearly 20-year journey, his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and son Telemachus (Tom Holland) await his return, fighting off suitors and holding the throne in the faith that Odysseus will return. While the Kingdom is at stake for his family, it’s the mind that’s at stake for Odysseus.

After the Trojan War, nobody knows what happened to Odysseus. The film’s beginning often switches perspectives, which, while some may find jarring, also immerses one in the mystery until we finally switch to Odysseus’ point of view. 

Matt Damon is incredible as Odysseus. He plays the man haunted by his own creation (sound familiar?) and the fallout of how his ideas may change humanity forever. It’s interesting to note how similar in spirit this film feels to Oppenheimer, essentially functioning as a thematic sequel to Nolan’s previous film. The film is at its best when exploring the themes of war, pain, and guilt. 

Anne Hathaway and Tom Holland Highlight a Group of Excellent Performances

In Ithaca, the story centers on the mother-son relationship amid the twenty-year wait for Odysseus between Anne Hathaway and Tom Holland’s characters, who both give stellar performances. Penelope’s strength, but also her pain, is evident in Hathaway’s line deliveries and choices. Telemachus’ eagerness to learn about his father is well played, as is his naivety in thinking he could ward off his mother’s suitors on his own.

Outside of the film’s main trio, the entire cast is made up of incredible performances. Eumaeus (John Leguizamo), who remains loyal just as Penelope and Telemachus, and Eurylochus (Himesh Patel), who is Odysseus’ second in command, both give stellar performances that stand out amid a star-studded cast. The pair serve as emotional anchors in the film.

The Odyssey retells Homer’s epic poem through the lens of remorse and guilt. However, in Nolan’s focus on this, the movie refrains from embracing the world’s magic and mythology. In doing so, the wonder that comes from a world filled with gods is lost. The film actively addresses this by opening with references to “apparent magic”. Yet ironically, some of the film’s best moments are mythological.

‘The Odyssey’ Brings Myths and Monsters to Life

One of the most horrifying scenes in the film is Odysseus and his men’s encounter with Circe (Samantha Morton). Morton’s physicality in sculpting her magic is absolutely terrifying. Alongside the tension brilliantly built up, Morton’s performance and visual/special effects spare no subtlety in the eerie scene, and it’s one of the highlights of the film.

Unfortunately, Odysseus’ bout with the Cyclops wasn’t as strong. The changes made from the source material, such as the Cyclops’ inability to speak, hold the scene back from reaching its full potential and embracing the magical nature of the original story.

Elliot Page sneakily delivers one of the film’s best performances as Sinon, playing a crucial character in Odysseus’ arc. Page’s portrayal as the soldier whose sacrifice essentially won the war is so moving, while their fate is crucial to the story, forcing Odysseus to confront the loss of life his actions have brought about.

Sinon’s speech to Odysseus, combined with the visual of the other fallen soldiers and the score, made such a powerful mythological moment. Ludwig Göransson’s score only elevates these performances and the entire film. The composer may as well be a siren, given how many musical moments are enchanting.

Enchanting Visuals Cement ‘The Odyssey’ as a Best Picture Contender

Equally enchanting as the story are The Odyssey‘s visuals. The entire film was shot on IMAX 70mm cameras, allowing for a larger aspect ratio and, in turn, more to be projected on screen. The film looks stunning in IMAX, and it’s worth the trip to your nearest premium format theater. The sheer scale of shots such as Odysseus walking on a beach or on a raft in the ocean is breathtaking and expresses how truly lost Odysseus is.

As he finally returns to Ithaca, the third act’s build-up feels like a kettle just about to boil, which then erupts as the film approaches its conclusion. Damon’s final monologue is incredibly impactful and perhaps makes the decision not to highlight the divine throughout the film much clearer.

Nolan’s rendition of the Odyssey is a character study of Odysseus, offering a new perspective on the Trojan Horse. Where the Trojan Horse is considered a triumph, for Odysseus it represents his great regret. The Odyssey is a film grounded in Odysseus’ psyche that explores how one returns from war and what one brings home. Unsurprisingly, Christopher Nolan has put together one of the best films so far in 2026.

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