Like most high-profile movies nowadays, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has been bogged down in controversy. Most of that centers upon its interpretation of the source material, as well as some casting choices that I can only describe as questionable. But regardless of what side of those never-ending culture war debates you happen to land, there is no denying the fact that anticipation for the movie itself is at an all-time high. So does the film successfully sail past the siren song of all that noise, or does it get shipwrecked by the godlike fury of angry film fans?
In typical Christopher Nolan fashion, the story of The Odyssey is told in a nonlinear manner, primarily through flashbacks. But the general gist is as follows. It has been many years since Odysseus, the king of the Greek island of Ithaca, has been seen ever since going to fight in the Trojan War, even though they've been tales of his exploits. In his prolonged absence, tensions rise as suitors gather in his hall, seeking to inherit his kingdom by marrying his wife, Penelope. Except Odysseus is not dead but merely caught by the many trials that have plague his journey home, as he struggles to return in time to save what's left of his kingdom.
Heading into 2026, I knew there was one movie I absolutely had to watch come hell or high water. And that film was The Odyssey, Christopher Nolan's first foray into the realm of epic fantasy. And he couldn't have chosen meatier material because Homer's Odyssey remains till today one of the quintessential works of Greek mythology. Even though I must confess that most of my initial exposure to the material came through other adaptations like Ulysses and the Percy Jackson series of books. But from what I know, there's plenty there for a director like Nolan to delve into.
And delve into it he does with an adaptation that feels faithful yet modernized. It touches upon a lot of the familiar beats from the source material but is told through a contemporary lens, a fact that is reflected in the use of modern language for dialogue as well as the diverse casting. These are the two main areas of contention for the purists out there, and a lot of that backlash is valid. But I'd be lying if I said I was bothered by any of it beyond the first five minutes of the film. Because once I got over that initial hurdle of seeing Travis Scott belting out stories as the resident bard, I was fully locked in and immersed in the narrative.
It did take a fair bit of time for that story to kick into gear. But even though the film is just shy of 3-hours long, a hard limit imposed by its use of IMAX cameras, it never felt overlong or like it overstayed its welcome. Speaking of IMAX cameras, I didn't see the movie in IMAX, but was still able to appreciate its grand scale and scope. Everything about the film feels larger than life, from its sprawling locations and sets, to the cinematography that captures all of it in jaw-dropping details. Put plainly, this is one you'd definitely want to see in a cinema.
A lot of that praise must also extend to the mostly practical effects that help bring the movie to life. I hear that a large 60-feet tall puppet was used for the cyclops, along with clever use of forced perspective for the armored giants. And it all blends together seamlessly to sell the illusion, keeping the movie grounded while still exploring the fantastical elements of its story. Nolan is known for his aversion to CGI and the fact that they were able to accomplish so much with very little of it is testament to the wizardry of his production team.
But the real standout in my opinion was the incredible score by Ludwig Goranson, and the movie's overall sound design. His music was able to elevate the visuals in the best way possible, adding layers of tension when needed. I'd be surprised if he doesn't pick up yet another Oscar next year, along with the entire sound team. The screams of that cyclops, echoing inside its cave, will haunt my nightmares for weeks to come and I wouldn't have it any other way.
In terms of performances, Matt Damon was a more than capable lead. The same goes for Anne Hathaway as Penelope. Even Elliot Page and Lupita Nyong'o gave half decent portrayals of their characters. The only truly weak link among the bunch was Travis Scott, a casting that Nolan himself confesses was born out of them trying to draw a link between the storytelling of bards of old with that of rappers today. And considering how little he was in the actual film, I imagine it would have been possible to cut out his scenes entirely and the movie wouldn't be worse for it.
The Odyssey is a sprawling epic fantasy adventure worthy of the Christopher Nolan name. It is the work of a director who is clearly in full control of his craft and all the resources at his disposal. And for a movie that seemed engineered to leave moviegoers divided, I was surprised by how much it plays like a crowdpleaser. I, of course, recognize that not everyone would be able to overlook some of its more "creative" choices. But if you are willing to accept the movie for what it is, then you just might be in for a journey like none other.
