The Odyssey

Jul 17

I hope I don't have to explain the plot of The Odyssey or Odysseus' years-long journey home after the Trojan War, but if you've forgotten the basics, I'd honestly recommend refreshing your memory beforehand. The film throws a lot of Greek names and characters at you right from the beginning, and it's easy to get lost. Besides, there's really no need to worry about spoilers when the screenplay is based on a story that's been around for thousands of years.

I'll admit that I walked into the theater with mixed feelings. I always say that I try not to build expectations for movies or music because it's the easiest way to avoid disappointment. But this time two things were fighting each other in my head: those early promotional stills and clips, where some of the costumes and visuals looked... questionable, and my trust in Christopher Nolan as one of the most talented directors of our generation.

So, how did The Odyssey turn out?

Epic.

Nolan really understands the scale of the story he is dealing with. This is not just another adventure movie — this is a story that has survived for thousands of years, and bringing something like this to the big screen is a huge challenge. Yes, the story is long and there are a lot of things happening, but after the first forty minutes you simply stop checking the time because you are already fully inside this journey.

The decision to shoot on location pays off tremendously. The film feels fantastical — as it should, because at the end of the day, this is still a myth — but at the same time incredibly vast and grand in scale.

What impressed me the most is how Nolan manages to make this enormous story feel surprisingly humble. At times it's vulnerable, at times deeply emotional, and then suddenly it unleashes spectacular action and visual effects that make you feel like you're traveling alongside Odysseus and his crew, desperately trying to find your way home. I can't say everything works perfectly. Some scenes feel slightly underdeveloped or simply too rushed. At the same time, I don't really have any issues with the language of the film. After all, we're talking about an ancient myth retold for the cinema in 2026, but when Odysseus suddenly says "fuck", it was genuinely funny. But Nolan layers each episode together in a way that builds naturally toward a beautiful, epic homecoming and the resolution of the conspiracy against Odysseus' son.

Of course, one of the biggest selling points — besides Nolan himself — was the absolutely stacked cast. There are so many recognizable faces that almost everyone ends up with fairly small roles, and nobody stays on screen for very long.

I'll be honest: I didn't really care for Tom Holland's Telemachus or Anne Hathaway's Penelope. Their characters felt a little bland, and I wasn't always convinced by the emotional weight of their performances. Elliott Page left a stronger impression as Sinon despite having maybe four minutes of screen time. Robert Pattinson is excellent as Antinous, Samantha Morton delivers a strong performance as Circe.

The real star of the film, though — and honestly the only performance I'd seriously consider for awards season — is Matt Damon. Since Odysseus carries the film from beginning to end, Damon has by far the biggest challenge, and he absolutely rises to it. His performance is emotionally rich, physically demanding, and ultimately every bit as epic as the journey itself.

In the end, The Odyssey is as thunderous as the storms that haunt its heroes throughout the story. Maybe it misses the mark once or twice — unlike Odysseus himself with his legendary bow — but it still delivers a beautiful, modern retelling that should satisfy just about anyone walking into the theater. By the time Odysseus and Penelope sail away, you genuinely feel like you've lived through a long, fascinating, and incredibly exciting journey together with the characters on screen.

9/10

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