Category: Reviews
After the critical and commercial success of 2023's Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan had carte blanche to do whatever he wanted next. He and his producing partner/wife, Emma Thomas, started deliberating on their next project, which they kept secret. While working, they started assembling their cast, including Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, and Robert Pattinson, among others. It wasn't until late 2024 that Universal announced Nolan's new film would be an adaptation of Homer's The Odyssey. With a $250 million budget, filming lasted for 91 days between February and August 2025 across several countries. Nolan shot the film entirely on IMAX cameras, which posed challenges, including a limited 3-minute storage capacity. He took inspiration from historical epics like Andrei Rublev and Ran, as well as the works of Ray Harryhausen. After premiering at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey hit theaters in July 2026.
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Synopsis
Following a ten-year war against the Trojan army, King Odysseus (Matt Damon) and his men set sail for home. Wanting to see more of the world, Odysseus takes a slower route despite concerns from his second-in-command, Eurylochus (Himesh Patel). Unfortunately, Eurylochus proves right when the crew encounters a giant cyclops, an army of steel-plated warriors, and a nefarious witch. Meanwhile, in Odysseus' kingdom of Ithaca, several suitors have taken up residence, trying to court Odysseus' wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway). Believing he's still alive, their son, Telemachus (Tom Holland), searches for answers as to what became of his father. One of Penelope's suitors, Antinous (Robert Pattinson), plots to kill Telemachus and take Ithaca along with the other suitors. As the goddess Athena (Zendaya) watches, Odysseus is rescued by Calypso (Charlize Theron) and tries to recover his lost memory. Will Odysseus reclaim the throne, or will Ithaca have a new king?
Review
More than any film released within the past decade or so, The Odyssey reminds me why I love cinema. This is the kind of large-scale epic we don't see much of nowadays apart from superhero movies. Everything from the acting, directing, cinematography, effects, and score is larger than life and spectacular. Of course, you don't always need the biggest budget to make a great movie, as you also need immense talent. While I've been hit-or-miss with Christopher Nolan in the past, he's clearly a skilled filmmaker, and this movie shows it. From his use of sweeping camera angles to his use of sound effects to create atmosphere, every decision is masterful. It helps that Nolan brought back his Oppenheimer cinematographer, Hoyte van Hoytema, to deliver some amazing camerawork once again. Every shot is so meticulously crafted that exploring the eventual Blu-ray's bonus features will be a treat.
Every cast member, no matter how large or small their role, absolutely crushes it and gives it their all. Matt Damon gives Odysseus a level of humanity that makes him more captivating as a flawed hero. Seeing him go from a confident, headstrong general to a shell-shocked veteran reflecting on his past mistakes is riveting. Anne Hathaway gives a very theatrical performance as Queen Penelope, who tries to maintain her kingdom against ravenous suitors. Speaking of, Robert Pattinson is deliciously maniacal as Antinous, the perfect character you love to hate. Tom Holland, Charlize Theron, Zendaya, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal, Lupita Nyong'o, and Mia Goth are also excellent in their roles. However, the biggest standouts are John Leguizamo, Himesh Patel, and Samantha Morton, each delivering a performance worthy of Oscar nominations. Even minor roles from Elliot Page and Travis Scott are memorable in their own way.
Whether or not you see this movie in IMAX, you won't be disappointed by the grand scale of the production. You can see the $250 million budget on screen in the locations, costumes, and effects. The fact that things like the Trojan Horse and the Cyclops were either models, puppets, or live actors is astounding. While I'm sure there was bountiful CGI, the dominant use of practical effects over digital makes me respect Nolan more. Adding to the film's immense scale is the brilliant score by Ludwig Göransson, which goes from exciting to somber. At slightly under three hours long, you really don't feel the runtime as the pacing never drags. Regardless of your thoughts on historical accuracy or excessive, this movie is one that should not be missed. Overall, The Odyssey can best be summed up in just two words: Absolute Cinema.
The Odyssey is in theaters.
Where to watch The Odyssey (2026)
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