Review: The Odyssey - A Spectacular Reinterpretation of Homer's Odyssey

I’ve been looking forward to this movie ever since it was announced, for two very simple reasons. The first is Greek mythology, a subject that has always fascinated me. The second is the name Christopher Nolan. There’s no way I’d see Nolan’s name on a movie and not want to watch it, even if not all of his films have been to my taste. Here I’m referring specifically to Tenet, a movie that, honestly, I didn’t enjoy as much as the rest of his filmography. On the other hand, Nolan won me over with The Dark Knight trilogy and cemented that with Interstellar, one of my all-time favorite movies. So, there was no doubt that I would see The Odyssey on the very first day of its release—which is exactly what I did.

Before I get into the review, I want to mention one thing. Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen a lot of online discussions in which various choices made by Christopher Nolan were compared to the 2004 film Troy or even criticized before anyone had seen the final product. After leaving the theater, I can say without any hesitation that this comparison is completely off the mark. Nolan never once tried to make a new Troy or a sequel to it, nor do I think that was his intention. On the contrary, what he has created here is his own interpretation of The Odyssey, one that emphasizes mythology, the story’s almost fantastical dimension, and the main character’s inner conflict. From my perspective, all of the directorial choices perfectly serve this vision.

The film tells the story of Ulysses, played by Matt Damon, inspired by Homer’s famous epic. This is not a word-for-word adaptation, but rather a modern cinematic reinterpretation that preserves the essence of the original work while giving it its own identity.

The story is told in a nonlinear manner, a technique Christopher Nolan has already made us accustomed to throughout his career. Instead of following Ulysses’s journey from start to finish in chronological order, the film constantly alternates between the past and the present, gradually building a complete picture of the hero and his journey home. It’s a choice that works very well and manages to keep the viewer engaged without becoming confusing.

Without giving away any spoilers, The Odyssey follows Odysseus’s attempt to return to Ithaca after the end of the Trojan War. The journey home, however, is far more difficult than anyone could imagine, and every stop puts both his courage and his character to the test. We encounter numerous familiar elements from Greek mythology—from cyclopes and witches to sirens and other legendary creatures—but they’re all seamlessly integrated into the story and don’t feel like they’re just there for show.

One thing I really liked is that the film doesn’t turn these moments into a mere display of special effects. Although each encounter is visually stunning, the focus almost always remains on Ulysses and how each ordeal changes him as a person. It is, after all, a story about guilt, sacrifice, family, and the consequences of war, and these themes are far more important than the mythological creatures we encounter along the way.

Matt Damon gives a very good performance and manages to convey both Ulysses’ heroic side and the vulnerability of a man tormented by his own choices. I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s an Oscar-winning performance, though. It’s simply a very well-played role, and Christopher Nolan proves once again that he has an extraordinary eye for casting. The character of Ulysses is a perfect fit for Matt Damon, and I think few actors would have been able to strike the same balance between the war hero and the man trying to find peace after everything he’s been through.

Jon Bernthal as Menelaus was an extremely pleasant surprise for me. I’ll admit that, in the first few minutes he appeared on screen, I felt like I was seeing him play the same type of character we’ve come to expect from him in many of his productions. But I quickly realized that this was exactly what the role of Menelaus called for. His charisma, energy, and the way he commands every scene are a perfect fit for the character and are yet another testament to the fact that Nolan almost always knows how to cast the right actor for every role.

The cast is rounded out by Tom Holland as Telemachus, Anne Hathaway in a very good portrayal of Penelope, Robert Pattinson, who managed—for the umpteenth time—to make me hate his character (which says a lot about how well he did his job), and Zendaya as Athena. Although her character doesn’t have a lot of screen time, Athena’s importance to the entire story is enormous. The symbolism behind the character essentially underpins the entire film and directly influences Ulysses’ journey.

If I had to choose just one aspect in which The Odyssey excels beyond any doubt, it would be the visuals. The landscapes are absolutely stunning and exactly what I would have expected from a film directed by Christopher Nolan. The scenes shot in Morocco, Greece, and Italy lend authenticity to each location and greatly contribute to the feeling that you’re watching a true ancient epic. The fact that the entire production was shot using IMAX cameras on 70 mm film demonstrates once again Nolan’s almost obsessive dedication to the cinematic experience. He is one of the few directors who continues to believe in classic film and the IMAX format as a means of bringing his vision to the big screen as faithfully as possible. Honestly, after watching The Odyssey, I think all these efforts are evident in every frame.

As with his other films, Christopher Nolan demonstrates that he isn’t just trying to tell a story, but to create a cinematic experience. The Odyssey is the kind of movie that deserves to be seen on the biggest screen possible—not just for the grandeur of the visuals, but also for the way sound, imagery, and mythology blend together into an experience that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

In conclusion, I really enjoyed The Odyssey. For nearly three hours, I sat almost motionless in my seat at the movie theater, and, honestly, I didn’t feel the pressure of time at all. It’s a very different film from the recent productions we’ve come to expect from Christopher Nolan, and I think it’s important to understand that before watching it. Don’t go to the theater expecting a new Interstellar or a movie that will make you think hard with every scene. The Odyssey is structured differently and tells its story at its own pace.

Even though, for me, it doesn’t make the top three of Christopher Nolan’s films, it remains without a doubt one of the best films of the year and one that I recommend without hesitation for a theater viewing. Yes, unfortunately, Romania still lacks a modern IMAX theater, and the IMAX auditorium at AFI Cotroceni continues to use Dual Xenon 2K projection, which doesn’t offer the best image clarity, brightness, or contrast. Even so, The Odyssey is the kind of movie that deserves to be seen on the biggest screen possible.