The Odyssey Receives Acclaim from Those Who Have Experienced It, Criticism from Those Who Haven't

      Audiences have never been as polarized as they are regarding Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey: Those who have viewed it rave about its brilliance, while those who haven’t categorize it as a catastrophe.

      Welcome to the online world, where everyone is free to express their views, regardless of whether they should.

      YouTube has done away with its “dislike” feature, yet platforms like the Jabrek YouTube Dislike Viewer claim to show that over half a million users have disliked the film’s latest trailer, in contrast to 68,000 who enjoyed it.

      The comments section is overwhelmed with negativity, with many negative remarks receiving the highest votes. One humorist, who garnered 19,000 likes, expressed, “I didn’t pay anything to watch this trailer, and I already want a refund.”

      Conversely, individuals who have actually watched the film are significantly more appreciative: Jacob Stolworthy of The Independent describes it as Christopher Nolan’s “largest film to date,” while Collider’s Steven Weintraub calls it “incredible,” adding, “I'm truly impressed by this film.” Jazz Tangcay from Variety labels it an “astonishing achievement” and “a triumphant, spectacular epic.”

      Other responses were slightly more reserved — IndieWire’s David Ehrlich mentions that the film is “too clunky to reach S-tier Nolan status, but the final act justifies the overall experience.”

      Nonetheless, even the least enthusiastic critiques were still more favorable than the opinions of many who reviewed the film based solely on its final trailer on YouTube.

      It’s clear that half a million people didn’t watch and dislike the film, as it has only been screened at its London premiere and select viewings for critics and influencers.

      What’s fueling the backlash against The Odyssey online?

      What’s the explanation for this reaction?

      Many attribute it to review bombing, where a significant number of users criticize a film without having seen it, in a deliberate effort to undermine it. Often, the targets of such actions are films viewed as “woke” due to their inclusive casting choices.

      For instance, last year's Snow White faced a deluge of negativity from those opposed to the casting of Latina actress Rachel Zegler as the traditionally fair-skinned character. Despite critics' mixed reviews, the intense backlash on IMDb led the site to flag the film due to “unusual voting activity.”

      The Odyssey has faced backlash largely because of its diverse cast, including Nolan’s choice to feature Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy, famously noted for her beauty, which was said to have “launched a thousand ships.” Additionally, there has been criticism directed at the casting of Elliot Page, a trans actor who also appeared in Nolan's Inception in 2010, alongside complaints regarding costume and accent fidelity.

      This film, which is Nolan’s adaptation of the Homeric epic about Odysseus's arduous return home from war, features Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as his wife, Robert Pattinson as a rival suitor, Antinous, Tom Holland as Odysseus's son, Telemachus, and Zendaya as Athena. The ensemble cast also includes Travis Scott, Charlize Theron, Mia Goth, and many others.

      The film bears especially high expectations, following Nolan's Oppenheimer, which grossed over a billion dollars at the box office and won seven Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director for Nolan, Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, and Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr.

      While we haven’t seen The Odyssey ourselves, we hold a strong appreciation for Nolan's films. Thus, we eagerly anticipate July 17, the day the movie premieres in theaters, allowing real audiences to express their opinions with their ticket purchases based on genuine viewings.

      Main image: Matt Damon as Odysseus in The Odyssey. Universal Pictures.