The Odyssey Receives Acclaim from Viewers but Criticism from Those Who Haven't Watched It

      Never have audiences been as split as they are regarding Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. Those who have viewed it are raving about it, while those who haven't are calling it a disaster.

      Welcome to the internet, where everyone feels free to express their thoughts, regardless of whether they should.

      YouTube may have removed its “dislike” feature, but platforms like the Jabrek YouTube Dislike Viewer claim to track the number of dislikes. They report that over half a million viewers have expressed disapproval of the latest trailer, compared to 68,000 who liked it.

      The comments section has seen a surge of negativity, with unflattering remarks receiving the most votes. One humorous commenter, receiving 19,000 upvotes, remarked, “I paid nothing to see this trailer and yet I already want my money back.”

      In contrast, those who have actually seen the film are much more favorable: Jacob Stolworthy from The Independent hails it as Christopher Nolan’s “largest film to date,” while Steven Weintraub from Collider describes it as “incredible,” adding, “I’m truly amazed by this film.” Jazz Tangcay from Variety calls it an “astonishing achievement” and a “triumphant, spectacular epic.”

      Other reactions have been more reserved, with David Ehrlich from IndieWire noting that the film is “too clunky to reach S-tier Nolan status, but the final act rewards the journey.”

      However, even the least enthusiastic reviews were more positive than those from many who critiqued the film based on its final YouTube trailer.

      It’s evident that half a million people did not view and despise the film, as it has only been screened at its London premiere and select showings for critics and influencers.

      Why is The Odyssey facing such backlash online?

      What's behind this?

      Many attribute it to review bombing, a trend where a large group of users disparages a film without viewing it, often targeting films that are perceived as “woke” due to their inclusive casting.

      For instance, last year’s Snow White faced significant negative feedback from some who opposed the casting of Latina actress Rachel Zegler as the famously fair-skinned character. While critics generally did not favor the film, the backlash on IMDb was so severe that the site indicated it had detected "unusual voting activity" concerning the title.

      The Odyssey has drawn complaints for its inclusion of Black actors, especially due to Nolan’s choice to cast Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy—known for her beauty that metaphorically “launched a thousand ships.” Critics have also opposed the casting of Elliot Page, a trans actor who appeared in Nolan's Inception back in 2010, as well as raised concerns regarding costume and accent accuracy.

      The film is Nolan’s interpretation of the Homeric epic about Odysseus's long route home from war. In addition to Matt Damon as Odysseus, the cast features Anne Hathaway as his wife, Robert Pattinson as the aggressive suitor Antinous, Tom Holland as Odysseus’ son Telemachus, and Zendaya as Athena. Other notable names in the cast include Travis Scott, Charlize Theron, Mia Goth, and many others.

      The film is under particularly high expectations as it follows Nolan’s Oppenheimer, which grossed over a billion dollars and secured seven Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director for Nolan, Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, and Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr.

      Although we haven't seen The Odyssey yet, we greatly enjoy Nolan’s films. Thus, we are eager for July 17, when the movie hits theaters and real audiences can share their thoughts based on genuine viewings.

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