REVIEW: “The Odyssey” (2026)

(Source: IMDb) 

Christopher Nolan has come a long way from independent filmmaking to large-scale productions over the last three decades. This year, he brings us his most ambitious and episodic project to date with an adaptation of Homer’s centuries-old story of Ancient Greek figures. Specifically, The Odyssey chronicles the 20-year journey of Greek hero Odysseus, from fighting in the Battle of Troy to his years-long trek to return home to Ithaca, to his wife and son. Said journey involves war, adventure, a cyclops, giant soldiers, gods, sirens, and any other obstacle you can imagine (physically, morally, spiritually, mentally, psychologically). Ditto themes of a kingdom without a king, others wanting to take the throne, and a son who has grown up without a father. 

The Odyssey marks a significant milestone in moviemaking and cinemagoing. Since he made The Dark Knight almost twenty years ago, Nolan has been using IMAX cameras for select sequences in all but one of his subsequent films (the one being Inception). This 2026 release marks the first use of 70mm IMAX film cameras for an entire feature film, partly thanks to upgraded technology for scenes of dialogue (the cameras had previously been notorious for their heavy volume), and not just action and breathtaking vistas. And make no mistake: seeing any Nolan film in IMAX (or any of his films in general) is an event. 

The Odyssey has also been generating mixed buzz, even prior to its release. Even though tickets were already sold out one year in advance, the film had already been criticized for its diverse cast. The otherwise compelling roster includes Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Jon Bernthal, Lupita Nyong'O, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Benny Safdie, and (my personal favorite) John Leguizamo, resulting in another real ensemble piece for the screen. 

The same goes for how Nolan decided to translate/adapt the original text. One of his sources was a 2017 translation by Emily Wilson. In other words, the characters speak in a more modern vernacular than in Greek. This makes the story feel very unique, contemporary, and even postmodern. (The latter, in terms of its filmmaking and storytelling.) I couldn't help but think of the many ways the Bible had been translated over millennia, from King James to New International to Eugene Peterson's contemporary version, known as the Message. That being said, one should be reminded that stories adapted for the screen should not replace their original source. They're adaptations. They're supplementary. And they can expand on the original source and help make it relevant but should never replace it. (Zack Snyder once said the same thing when he adapted Alan Moore & Dave Gibbon's acclaimed graphic novel Watchmen.) 

(Source: Instagram) 

Others have immediately declared The Odyssey as another masterpiece. Yours truly is on the cusp of saying that as well. Granted, its editing is a bit much, while its pacing can be a little off. Even so, its non-linear structure is represented through memories/narrations from different people. (Terrence Malick is one of Nolan’s main influences on his work.) The main reasons for its R-rating are not just its visceral violence, but also some surprising language choices. (I counted three f-bombs they threw into the script.) The sound design is rumbling (especially the sequence involving the Cyclops, which is very loud), while another truly surreal and bizarre sequence (featuring actress Samantha Morton) recalls a key plot point in Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away. 

Ludwig Goransson has become one of the defining composers of his generation. Perhaps more than he did with Black Panther and Sinners (both directed by Ryan Coogler), Goransson uses ancient instruments like the lyre and the aulos to create a unique, period score. It's incredible that a large majority of this film took full advantage of practical effects (real ships at sea), hundreds of extras (did they all really pull that giant Trojan horse?), and real locations across the globe. I do wonder, though, which few elements were computer-generated. (The whirlpool, anybody?) 

It's even more amazing to think that a story that had been around for centuries and millennia is still relevant today. It has influenced countless other stories and writers that have come after it, such as Joseph Campbell’s famous writings on “The Hero's Journey” (which, in turn, influenced George Lucas when he first wrote Star Wars in the 1970s). Others, in more recent years, include directors like Joel & Ethan Coen (2000's O Brother, Where Art Thou?), Andrew Stanton (2003's Finding Nemo), and even the late Stephen Hillenberg (2004's The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie). Two of Homer's universal themes here are those that Nolan has been using throughout his filmography: time and memory. Along with the aforementioned themes of war, love, family, tradition, culture, trials, seeing the world, honoring those who have died, and lessons from the dead, Odysseus contemplates the home he knew, and what it is (and no longer is) now. I want to mention a few lines of dialogue that stuck with me at every screening I attended: 

The structure is nothing without people's respect for its meaning. 

The power of the sacrifice is in the cost of the person making it. (Sound familiar?) 

Don’t look for gods in men. You’ll just be disappointed. (True.) 

What makes Nolan's take so amazing is how he and his team were able to ground a rather fantastical and ancient story—set during “a time of apparent magic,” not to mention a pagan, almost-survival-of-the-fittest worldview—in reality, putting us right there in that time/world/realm (however you prefer). It's thoroughly immersive, detailed, fascinating, and astounding. I've seen the film three times, as of this writing. The second time was in 70mm, which is good. (I find that sitting four rows from the screen at that kind of showing is a good angle.) Although I highly recommend seeing it in IMAX (how I saw it initially) to get the full, superior scope of Hoyte van Hoytema’s stunning cinematography. (I have yet to see a movie in 70mm IMAX, as of this writing. And I’ve heard nothing but great things.) I guess we'll see how this will impact other movie theatres and chains, in terms of demands for film projection at said locations. It certainly would benefit the filmmakers who used them (and still champion them) to begin with—an odyssey, in and of itself. Nolan remains one of the most important and dedicated.