Epic films have fallen out of favor compared to the golden age of Hollywood. In fact, a movie running over the two-hour mark is often now seen as an overindulgence by the filmmaker. Of course, when Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to his epic biopic Oppenheimer was announced to adapt what many consider the father of all epic stories, The Odyssey, many embraced the idea. Why? Because what filmmaker working today is better suited to attempt to bring Homer’s tale to the big screen? Nolan succeeded and delivered an incredible follow-up to his Oscar-winning film.
Odysseus (Matt Damon) has been away from home for decades after helping to win the Trojan War. His home, run by Queen Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and his son, Telemachus (Tom Holland), has been overrun by suitors looking to claim the perceived vacant throne. Led by Antinous (Robert Pattinson), the suitors revel in the palace halls, eating and drinking, the house awaiting Penelope to choose her new husband.
It’s only fair that I give some context as to how important this particular film was for me. As a 9th-grade English teacher, I was tasked with reading excerpts of The Odyssey with my students. I’d always been a big fan of Greek Mythology, and I reveled in introducing the topic and this story to my students. There was no great movie adaptation to show after reading or to go along with the readings, so I settled on showing O’ Brother, Where Art Thou to help them visualize aspects of the story. As a fanatic film enthusiast and fan of the story that underpins so many other beloved tales…Dorothy, after all, just wants to get home. I had a lot of hope invested in Nolan’s take on the tale.
However, it wasn’t just the story I had an investment in, but also the teller. I’ve long accepted that I am one of those Nolan fanboys. He brought one of my favorite screen adaptations of a beloved childhood figure to life. His movies are always compelling, and his persona elevates his talent as he seems like a genuine individual. After Nolan was finally recognized by the Academy for his last epic, Oppenheimer, I was very invested in seeing what he would do next. How would he cash his new blank check? He could have taken an easier project, but he, in true Nolan form, upped the challenge.
I’ve never hidden my admiration for Nolan’s work, but admiration has never exempted him from criticism. That’s why, when the screen unexpectedly went black during my screening at the start of the third act, my first reaction wasn’t frustration—it was genuine panic that I’d have to wait days to see the ending. In that instant, I realized how completely the film had pulled me in.
Fortunately, I did not have to wait, but I did have to endure an extremely emotional sequence a second time. As noted earlier, Nolan’s The Odyssey is an obvious masterpiece. The performances, set pieces, cinematography, score, and structure all coalesce into the definitive encapsulation of this iconic story. Just under three hours, Nolan delivers a breathtaking experience in jaw-dropping fashion.
Hathaway is having an incredible year with two outstanding performances already under her belt, and she’s possibly the most impressive here. Holland finally gets the opportunity to shine in a non-Spider-Man film. I’ve long been a Damon fan, and he continues to remind audiences why we’ve been following him for over thirty years. Like Hathaway, Pattinson is a frequent on-screen presence in 2026, and just keeps flexing his range and talent. He is absolutely despicable in this film, and his slimy character will make you want to punch the screen. The core four here are all incredible, but the scenes are elevated by the film’s extensive cast.
A quick list of the talent that is in this film is needed, and in no way is this meant to take away from their contributions, as I think they’re all incredible…or at least deliver exactly what they needed for their role. Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal, Himesh Patel, Mia Goth, Elliot Page, Samantha Morton, and Corey Hawkins all get moments to truly shine. However, I feel the need to narrow in on John Leguizamo as Eumaeus. I’ve grown up watching John Leguizamo in everything from Super Mario Bros. and The Pest to Romeo + Juliet and Bob Trevino Likes It. Few actors have demonstrated his willingness to bounce between prestige dramas, studio films, and cult oddities with such consistency. Here, he gets several standout moments that remind audiences just how valuable a character actor he continues to be. It’s not surprising that Nolan brought so much talent to such an iconic story, but it really makes this epic feel exactly that.
The story itself has some of the most iconic set piece concepts within it, which has been at the detriment to so many attempted adaptations. In some cases, they appear and happen far quicker than you may expect. However, every one of them delivers. What is more impressive, though, is how the quiet moments also feel grand. The dialogue, the emotional beats, and the characters feel as important as the horrors that they encounter. The film moves, much like Odysseus’s ship, and the runtime flies by.
The Odyssey is a triumph and a film that will be discussed for years to come. For many, this could be their first encounter with the tale, and they’re in for one heck of a ride. Nolan has become one of cinema’s most visible ambassadors, and he continues in that role. Speaking well of the new young filmmakers who have had a breakout year, while also delivering an epic designed for the biggest screens. Changing the way IMAX movies are shot and continuing to contribute to pushing the form in new ways, Nolan truly deserves the praise. The best part, it’s not just placating someone for things they’ve done before. It’s watching him push to continue earning the respect of those who make movies and the ones, like me, who just love to watch them.
The Odyssey is in theater’s everywhere on July 17.
Rating: 5/5.
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