The Odyssey (Dir. Christopher Nolan, 2026) [Review]
Tackling The Odyssey is no small task, but Christopher Nolan proves once again why he is one of modern cinema’s defining auteurs. Blending sweeping drama with massive practical action set pieces, and even moments of genuine horror, Nolan crafts a version of Homer’s epic that feels both timeless and refreshingly new.
The Acting
The performances in The Odyssey are nothing less than masterful. Whether an actor is in the film for five minutes or all 172, every performance felt impactful and authentic in a way that is rarely seen in blockbuster filmmaking.
Anne Hathaway delivers her role as Penelope with such deep anguish and unwavering loyalty that it is easy to forget you’re watching a performance. John Leguizamo is equally impressive as Eumaeus bringing a level of desperation and grounded humanity that easily ranks among the best of his career.
Every casting decision works brilliantly, despite the skepticism that surrounded several choices before the film’s release. Even the smaller roles leave lasting impressions. Zendaya gives Athena an air of wisdom that fits the character and Benny Safdie makes Agamemnon memorable and tragic. Robert Pattinson takes an incredible turn as the cowardly and manipulative Antinous, turning in what is definitely one of the strongest performances of his career. Damon as Odysseus, while I was initially skeptical, completely won me over. He portrayed a man who’s own cunning scared him deeply, and in doing so made himself a legitimate contender for the Academy Award for Best Actor. Nolan always gets great performances from his casts, but this is his finest ensemble to date.
The Sound
If the performances carry the emotional weight of The Odyssey, the sound design gives the film soul.
Longtime Nolan collaborator, Richard King, delivered some of his best work yet as the film’s sound designer. The film often has a very musical feel to it, with the plucking of Odysseus’ bow like a guitar string being a steady motif that recalls the story’s origins as an oral epic passed down by bards.
The score, done by Ludwig Goransson, was masterful, adding tension and really placing the audience in the scene. Nolan, clearly having learned from Tenet and its muffled dialogue, has the sound mix tuned to perfection this go around. This is no small task when you consider the IMAX cameras used to shoot the movie are incredibly loud, and
The Format
Discussing The Odyssey without mentioning its intended format would be like discussing Star Wars without bringing up Darth Vader. The Odyssey shines in 70MM IMAX. It shines so brilliantly I started to wonder how well it works in its other presentations. With the enlarged picture, you really feel the loneliness of Odysseus’ journey, the vastness of the Mediterranean Sea, the heft and height of the cyclops, and the sheer number of suitors waiting for Penelope to give in. Being the first film to be shot entirely in the format, it certainly makes the case there should be more, with the scope and scale given by the aspect ratio dwarfing anything else I’ve ever seen. The Odyssey not only makes good use of the format, but the format is also essential to the gravitas of the film.
The Verdict
If you are a cinephile or a fan of Epic films, The Odyssey is for you. Bustling with a mix of Shakespearean drama and the epitome of technical craftsmanship, it proves Nolan knows how to deliver a cinematic event, and this time he’s surpassed even his own greatness. The Odyssey isn’t just an adaptation of a classic, it’s a reminder of what film is capable of when every element is carefully chosen and designed to elicit emotion.
