Nolan’s The Odyssey is already in theaters!

Today, The Odyssey, the new film by Christopher Nolan and one of the biggest premieres of the year, was released in theaters. It is a large-scale adaptation of Homer’s poem starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron.

After Oppenheimer, the director took on even more ambitious material. The Odyssey is based on Homer’s poem, one of the key texts of world culture. It is a story about a long journey home, trials, losses, and a man trying to return to his family after war.

From the very beginning, the project looked risky. An ancient epic, a runtime of almost three hours, a huge budget, and a star-studded cast. But these are exactly the kinds of challenges Nolan usually turns into major cinematic events.

What the film is about

The Odyssey is based on Homer’s poem about Odysseus, the king of Ithaca. After the Trojan War, he tries to return home to his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus.

But this is not just a story about traveling from one point to another. Odysseus’ path is full of dangers, temptations, encounters with gods, and creatures from myth. At the same time, the main challenges are not always external. The hero has to deal with the consequences of his own decisions and with the kind of person he has become after the war.

The film’s budget is estimated at around $250 million. For Nolan, this is one of the most expensive projects of his career. According to early reviews, the scale can really be felt: big scenes, real locations, IMAX cinematography, and very little sense of “plastic” fantasy.

About the director

Christopher Nolan has long become the kind of director whose films audiences watch simply because his name is on the poster. He knows how to turn complex ideas into spectacular cinema that is discussed not only by film critics, but also by regular viewers.

His filmography includes Memento, The Prestige, The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception, Interstellar, Dunkirk, Tenet, and Oppenheimer. His films are loved for their scale, visuals, practical effects, and the feeling that you are watching not just a film for the evening, but a real event.

The Odyssey became Nolan’s 13th feature film.

Cast

The main role was played by Matt Damon. For Nolan, he is already a familiar actor: Damon appeared in Interstellar and Oppenheimer. Audiences also know him from The Martian, Good Will Hunting, and the Jason Bourne film series.

Tom Holland played Telemachus, the son of Odysseus. For a wide audience, he is still primarily Spider-Man from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but in recent years Holland has been trying more dramatic roles more often. For example, in The Devil All the Time and The Crowded Room.

Anne Hathaway played Penelope. She has already worked with Nolan in The Dark Knight Rises and Interstellar. She is also known for Les Misérables, The Devil Wears Prada, and many other films.

Robert Pattinson played Antinous. After Twilight, he has long proved that he can be not only the star of a major franchise, but also a strong dramatic actor. Among his notable works are Good Time, The Lighthouse, The Batman, and Nolan’s Tenet.

Zendaya appeared as Athena. She is known for Dune, Euphoria, and the Spider-Man films. This is one of the most discussed casting choices in The Odyssey, because Athena plays an important role in Odysseus’ story.

The film also stars Lupita Nyong’o and Charlize Theron. Viewers remember Nyong’o from 12 Years a Slave, Black Panther, and Us. Theron is known for Mad Max: Fury Road, Monster, Atomic Blonde, and The Old Guard.

How the film was received

Before its release, The Odyssey was discussed not only as Nolan’s new film, but also as a potentially controversial adaptation. Some viewers criticized the cast. Others worried that the ancient epic would be made too modern. There were also those who doubted that such a story could even be successfully brought to the screen in 2026.

After the release, the reaction turned out to be very strong. The film has a high rating: 96% from critics and 96% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. For a big auteur blockbuster, this is an almost perfect start.

Critics praise The Odyssey for its scale, excellent visuals, acting, and the feeling of a true epic journey. Many note that Nolan is not simply retelling a piece of school classics. He is trying to make the myth feel alive, spectacular, and understandable for a modern viewer.

At the same time, the debates have not disappeared. Some feel that the director takes too many liberties with the source material. Others believe that this freedom is exactly what helps the film avoid looking like a museum production in expensive sets.

In any case, The Odyssey has already become one of the main films of the year. We recommend checking it out too!