Stubs - The Odyssey (2026)

The Odyssey (2026) starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Samantha Morton, Zendaya, Charlize Theron Directed by Christopher Nolan. Screenplay by Christoper Nolan. Based on Homer's Odyssey. Produced by Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas. Run time: 173 minutes. Color. USA/UK Epic, Action, Fantasy, IMAX

As a follow up to his Academy Award winning Oppenheimer, director Christopher Nolan chose a text that dates back to the 8^th century B.C. attributed to Homer, a Greek poet. It is a sort of sequel to The Iliad, which centers on a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles during the last year of the Trojan War. It’s follow-up, The Odyssey, chronicles the ten-year journey of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, back to his home after the fall of Troy.

It seems a little surprising that such a film based on a 2,800-year-old poem would arrive with such anticipation. Most tickets for its opening weekend sold out months in advance. But that is the pull of Christopher Nolan, the director behind Oppenheimer but also such films as Memento (2000), Insomnia (2002), Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Inception (2010), Interstellar (2014), Dunkirk (2017), and Tenet (2020). He has a following few modern directors have, save, perhaps, Steven Spielberg.

Matt Damon as Odysseus in The Odyssey.

While I have read The Odessey, it was years ago, so I won’t comment on the accuracy to the story, however, the film does seem to hit the beats of the story I remember. Told in Nolan’s style, it is not told linearly, rather in bits and pieces by various characters, including Odysseus (Matt Damon) and Menelaus (Jon Bernthal). I won’t spoil how it unfurls or what happens. Nor will I comment on the "historical accuracy" of the film, as it is a retelling of a Greek tall tale; this is make believe, not a documentary.

However, I will say that the film introduces characters from the epic poem without any explanation or background, as if the director expects you to know. As an example, I didn’t realize Calypso’s (Charlize Theron) intentions for Odysseus as portrayed in the poem.

Some of that may be due to another one of Nolan’s trademarks, constant sound with soundtrack and dialogue competing for your attention, with dialogue sometimes suffering as a result.

But the real selling point of the film is the cinematography. Nolan, who champions analog and IMAX, shot the entire film in IMAX, where, when possible, with in-camera effects. Visually, the film is stunning, especially if you’re able to see it as intended in 70mm IMAX. Unfortunately, there are not many theaters equipped to show it. We did manage to snag tickets to the AMC theater in City Walk, for what was an off-hour, but packed showing. If you have the opportunity or means to see it in such a theater, the extra cost is worth it.

The casting is near perfect with Damon doing a great job as the lead. I would consider his performance and those of Anne Hathaway as Penelope, wife of Odysseus; Robert Pattinson as Antinous, a suitor of Penelope; John Leguizamo as Eumaeus, Odysseus's faithful servant; and Himesh Patel as Eurylochus, Odysseus's second-in-command; as awards worthy. They all seem to bring their ancient characters to life. 

I was a little less impressed with Zendaya as Athena, the goddess, who protects Odysseus on his journey. She really doesn’t do much and is really shown sparingly throughout. Also, her husband, Tom Holland as Telemachus, Odysseus’s son, was perhaps a bit of miscasting. Holland is okay in the role but he seems to be aging out of the pre-adult roles he’s made a career playing.

In the minor roles, Lupita Nyong'o, who plays both Helen of Troy and her twin Clytemnestra, like Zendaya, is mostly window dressing. Elliot Page as Sinon, a Greek soldier, is good in his limited role. Samantha Morton as Circe also does well, as does Charlize Theron as the alluring Calypso.

As with Oppenheimer, the film doesn’t feel like three plus hours, though you may occasionally find yourself checking the time, especially if you’re like me and trying to manage your consumption of liquids.

I would say The Odyssey is the event of the summer season when it comes to films and deservedly so. No doubt the film and its director/screenwriter/producer will be nominated for many awards when that season arrives. You will most likely enjoy the spectacle as much as the story, if not more.

This is in some ways the quintessential summer film. It’s big, in every way, action-packed with a list of stars a mile long. At the same time, it is also a film that you have to watch and one that will stay with you long after the popcorn has been eaten.