Film Critique – The Odyssey (2026)

      The Odyssey, 2026

      Written and Directed by Christopher Nolan.

      Featuring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, Zendaya, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal, John Leguizamo, Himesh Patel, Mia Goth, Will Yun Lee, Jimmy Gonzáles, Elliot Page, Bill Irwin, Samantha Morton, Jesse García, Rafi Gavron, Shiloh Fernandez, Corey Hawkins, Nick E. Tarabay, Maurice Compte, Michael Vlamis, Iddo Goldberg, Josh Stewart, Ryan Hurst, Anthony Molinari, Jovan Adepo, Logan Marshall-Green, James Remar, Travis Scott, Douglas Rouillard, Jorge Leon, Andrei Lenart, Kamden Riley, Ryan de Quintal, Jarreth J. Merz, Markie Farnsley, Stephen Murphy, Matt Lasky, Adam Croasdell, Jamie Harris, Niko Nicotera, Elyes Gabel, Sean Avery, Andrew Howard, Ian Casselberry, John Ales, Raimy Lang, Mason Cufari, Kate Fuglei, Mickey Shilowich, and Katerina Antemel.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Following the Trojan War, Odysseus embarks on a perilous journey back to Ithaca, encountering creatures such as the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and Calypso along the way.

      Some films build toward climactic moments, while others feature a few highlights throughout. Then, there are exceptional movies like Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Homer's The Odyssey, where every frame captivates and astounds. It represents filmmaking at its most ambitious and engaging. Given the remarkable track record of the Oscar-winning director, it is perhaps no surprise that he intricately weaves the esteemed text into explorations of recurring themes in his body of work, such as the connections between parents and children, profound sacrifices, latent guilt surfacing (this time, quite literally, through the undead), amnesia, prolonged absences from home and their impact on families and society, and the repercussions of actions that echo through generations and shape an era.

      One of the boldest decisions might be entrusting Travis Scott, a popular rapper with a notoriously poor WWE guest appearance that contrasts with the high regard of The Odyssey, to deliver the opening lines as a bard. This choice reflects Nolan's intentions, as he has previously discussed the parallels between various artistic expressions. The bard recounts the tales of Matt Damon's Odysseus, a cunning and powerful Greek general responsible for the fall of Troy during the war.

      For those unfamiliar with the plot, the Ithacan palace where these stories unfold is overrun with eager suitors attempting to enhance their status, among them Robert Pattinson's Antinous, a sly and scheming antagonist, all longing to marry Queen Penelope (played by Anne Hathaway, who skillfully portrays a range of emotions while grappling with her own conflicted feelings about Ithaca’s future). Despite their victory, Odysseus has yet to return home. The other suitors are equally despicable and selfish, even showing cruelty toward Odysseus’ aging dog, who poignantly fights for life to see his master once more.

      Two decades have now elapsed since Odysseus’ departure, and his son Telemachus (Tom Holland, experiencing a rewarding character arc that ultimately reveals a fiery side of his acting prowess) has grown up under the guidance of the blind farmer Eumaeus (John Leguizamo, who delivers a nuanced performance). Telemachus grapples with questions about his father's character and whether he is still alive or dead, as well as the deeper question of the possibility of truly knowing one's father.

      This is also an example of Christopher Nolan's signature nonlinear storytelling style, as Telemachus soon defies orders to set sail to Sparta, where he meets King Menelaus (Jon Bernthal) and the legendary beauty Helen of Troy (Lupita Nyong’o), whose abduction sparked the Trojan War. The complex dynamics of the Spartan family, which includes Helen’s twin sister Clytemnestra (also played by Nyong’o), come to the forefront as King Menelaus recalls his experiences fighting alongside Odysseus and whether he holds any information regarding his fate after the conflict at Troy.

      The titular Odyssey begins in medias res with Odysseus washed ashore, with no memory of past events or his purpose. He is cared for by the nymph Calypso (Charlize Theron), who seems to have her own hidden agenda. This dynamic, among others, feels like it could have benefited from more exploration, even with the film's substantial runtime. Nevertheless, the narrative revisits the infamous ruse involving the Trojan horse, a strategy in which Ithacan