“The Odyssey” Balances Spectacle and Sentiment
Written by: Matt Patti | July 15th, 2026
The Odyssey (Christoper Nolan, 2026): 4 out of 5 stars
The renowned epic poem “The Odyssey,” authored by mysterious Greek poet Homer, is made up of 24 books and tells the story of Odysseus and his journey back home after the Trojan War. Director Christopher Nolan’s 13th film, The Odyssey, puts Homer’s work on the big screen once again. Several screen adaptations already exist, but in the hands of one of the most capable and trusted filmmakers of the 21stcentury, the tale has never shined brighter.
In Nolan’s movie, Prince Telemachus (Tom Holland, Spider-Man: No Way Home) spends his days wondering when his father, Odysseus (Matt Damon, Oppenheimer), will return home. His queen mother, Penelope (Anne Hathaway, The Devil Wears Prada 2), shares his concern, as incessant suitors plot to marry her and take the throne of Ithaca. Desperate for answers, Telemachus sets sail to probe Trojan War veterans on their knowledge of what happened to Odysseus.
A common attribute of many Nolan films, the timeline here is not presented in a linear fashion. Telemachus’ journey is told in chronological order; however, the journey of Odysseus is displayed through personal flashbacks and the retelling of events from others who witnessed them. I’m unsure if this is how Homer structures his poem, as I haven’t read it, so I cannot weigh in on any similarities or differences here or in any other portion of this review. Nevertheless, I can report that, unlike some previous Nolan films that can be quite difficult to comprehend upon first viewing, the fragmented timeline of The Odyssey does not confuse the viewer.
As one might expect from a Nolan blockbuster, The Odyssey is monumental in every sense of the word. The technical assets especially shine, with stunning cinematography conveying both beautiful and terrifying imagery. The dynamic sound design makes every moment feel grand, and the immersive score from composer Ludwig Göransson (Sinners) heightens every single scene. The costume design impresses as well, with ancient warriors appearing larger than life. The creature design, while integrated seamlessly into the story, does leave a bit to be desired, as each unique entity Odysseus encounters looks similar to other monsters we’ve seen elsewhere.
The film’s three acts are very distinct the one from the other, each offering something a bit unique. The first act sets up the story well, with Telemachus and Penelope’s struggles as they navigate life post-war. Culminating in Telemachus setting sail to search for information on Odysseus, the first act comes to a close and the second act begins with Odysseus himself, stranded on an island. Through his broken memory, we see Odysseus discover the horrors he has faced at the same time as the audience does.
The second act is filled with the legendary obstacles Odysseus overcomes on his detoured journey home from Troy. The combat sequences featured in this part are very well done, with intensity dialed up to ten and plenty of edge-of-your-seat moments. Matt Damon is spectacular in the role of Odysseus, and his growth over the film is handled convincingly. At first a reckless, spontaneous commander, Odysseus learns to adapt his thinking in order to act in his men’s best interest. Other performances are hit and miss, as some roles appear to be miscast to fit in as many big names into the film as possible. Thankfully, the main trio of Holland, Damon, and Hathaway all bring their A-game and absolutely transform themselves in their roles.
The third act is the film’s strongest, as the intentions and values of several different characters are revealed, to much intrigue. Emotional and inspiring, the plot turns smaller in size but bigger in heart as a very personal story steals the show. The powerful, immensely satisfying finale puts the cherry on top of an almost-3-hour film that never feels drawn out or uninteresting. Quite the opposite, The Odyssey keeps the viewer consistently invested from the opening title to the end credits.
Nolan’s masterful storytelling prowess is on full display here as he weaves mystery, epic tales of triumph, and deeply personal themes together in a beautiful web that holds together beautifully. For this writer, for whom Christopher Nolan is his all-time favorite film director, The Odyssey marks his return to form. While his recent projects deserve praise for their technical creativity and historical significance, I believe Nolan’s best work is when his focus is more on the vivid depiction of characters than merely on massive events. With The Odyssey, Nolan is able to balance a layered storyline, character arcs, and the Greek mythos, giving equal attention to each. Centuries apart, Nolan and Homer work together to fascinate audiences. There might not be any more capable hands to leave Homer’s epic in, and Nolan’s adaptation leads to perhaps his best film in a decade.
Matt Patti
Matt Patti has enjoyed voicing his opinions on films from a young age. He has lived in the Baltimore, Maryland, area since 2015 and is a graduate of Stevenson University’s Film & Moving Image program. Matt is currently back at Stevenson University, working as the School of Design, Arts, and Communication's Studio Manager.