The Odyssey

There are a lot of stories in the world, but some seem destined to be told over and over again. Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and, of course, Homer’s The Odyssey have all been revisited countless times because each generation finds something new in them. Now it’s Christopher Nolan’s turn, and if anyone was going to take on one of the greatest  stories ever told, it was probably him. With The Odyssey, Nolan delivers an epic in a way only he can.

For those who need the Cliff Notes version, here’s what’s going on. Odysseus (Matt Damon) leaves his kingdom of Ithaca to wage war against Troy, leaving behind his wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), and their infant son. After years of brutal fighting, Odysseus comes up with the idea of hiding soldiers inside a massive wooden horse, allowing the Greeks to breach the city walls and bring the war to an end. Victory, however, is only the beginning.

As Odysseus and his men finally head home, they find themselves facing one impossible trial after another. Angry gods, terrifying monsters, and every obstacle imaginable stand between him and Ithaca. Meanwhile, back home, his palace has been overrun by suitors hoping to marry Penelope and claim the throne. Standing in their way is Odysseus’s now-grown son, Telemachus (Tom Holland), who refuses to believe his father is gone for good. The most dangerous of the suitors is Antinous (Robert Pattinson), whose plan is simple: eliminate Telemachus, marry Penelope, and take the kingdom for himself.

Written by Nolan and adapted from Homer’s epic, The Odyssey may look like a dense, complicated story from the outside, but it’s surprisingly easy to follow. Nolan hooks you from the opening moments and never really lets go. Even at nearly three hours, the film never drags. It keeps moving, balancing spectacle with human drama, and before you know it, you’re completely invested in Odysseus’s journey and desperate to see how it all ends.

What impressed me most is how authentic everything feels. Watching this, I honestly had the thought that no one is going to want to adapt The Odyssey again for a very long time, because Nolan has made a compelling case that this is the definitive version. Rather than leaning into the more romantic interpretations that have popped up over the years, he focuses on the cost of obsession, the weight of consequence, and what years of war and wandering do to a person.

Matt Damon gives one of his strongest performances in years. His Odysseus isn’t some untouchable mythical hero. He’s tired, scarred, burdened by everything he’s endured, and Damon plays him with a quiet melancholy that makes him feel remarkably human. You believe every mile of the journey has left its mark on him.

The supporting cast is just as impressive. Alongside Hathaway, Holland, and Pattinson are Zendaya, Mia Goth, Charlize Theron, Elliot Page, Himesh Patel, and John Leguizamo, all of whom slide naturally into Nolan’s enormous ensemble. Nobody feels wasted, even with a cast this stacked.

This is also one of those movies that absolutely demands to be seen on the biggest screen you can find. Nolan shot the entire film with IMAX cameras, and it shows in every frame. Combined with Ludwig Göransson’s soaring score, the visuals create the kind of cinematic experience that reminds you why we still go to the theater.

Nolan and everyone involved deserve a standing ovation. Movies on this scale—with this much ambition and confidence—feel increasingly rare. Thankfully, The Odyssey is a reminder that they’re still possible. It’s breathtaking, emotionally satisfying, and every bit the epic journey you’d hope for. If this isn’t the definitive cinematic version of Homer’s tale, I’d be surprised if we ever get one that surpasses it.

Brian Taylor

Member of the North Texas Film Critics Association, and lover of all things Cinema