Review: “The Odyssey” is Signature Christopher Nolan (Both Good and Bad)
Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 1:00PM By Ben Miller
13 feature films into his career, director Christopher Nolan has developed a string of touchstones for his films. You can expect an all-star cast, massive practical set pieces, underdeveloped women, stunning visuals, and clunky dialogue. With his new film The Odyssey, Nolan again delivers on everything you come to expect from a Nolan movie.
This time, Nolan (a well-documented child of cinema history), decides to take his chances with a sword and sandals epic in the vein of Ben-Hur or Quo Vadis. While the filmmaker might not have the reverence for the genre, he dives headfirst into the craft and scope necessary to make a film of this magnitude. When this film is big, bold, and a little silly, that’s where everything excels. It’s when things get more intimate that the film loses its way...
If you need a modern cinematic dramatization of the Battle of Troy, complete with the chaos and destruction, I can’t imagine anyone better than Nolan to get the job done. Do you need to have a 50-foot cyclops terrorizing Greek soldiers? He’s your man. How about depicting period-accurate wooden longships being tossed around an angry sea? Nolan is the go-to. As good as he is at all those big, difficult set-pieces, the in-between of those scenes features characters sitting and talking with each other, which is not what the filmmaker does well.
Nolan’s dialogue is often clunky, heavy on exposition, and overly reliant on one-on-one conversation. This is not a film where words should be so heavy to understand the film. The Odyssey poem is well-traveled in high school literature classes, as well as a bevy of other adaptations. While this film doesn’t follow Homer’s poem line for line, it’s almost as if Nolan forgot about the dialogue and was too focused on the big set-pieces. As a result, the big things get all the attention, but the dialogue and smaller scenes fall by the wayside. It also doesn’t help that Nolan continues to poorly depict hand-to-hand combat.
The film is filled with some of the most talented and charismatic actors, but they can only do so much with what they are asked to recite. What’s the point of casting someone like Lupita Nyong’o or Charlize Theron and give them next to nothing to do? Poor Tom Holland gets his most prominent non-Spider-Man role in years, and he gets little to do other than brood or be confused. Zendaya, one of the most dynamic young actresses of her generation, quietly shows up on occasion to talk to the main character. Stunt casting only makes sense if you give the actors something to do.
This doesn’t extend to everyone. Damon, obviously has a full characterization as Odysseus. While his presence is the most important aspect of his performance, his physicality also plays a role. That is never in question. Anne Hathaway is relegated to behind a screen for the majority of the film, but gets a few standout scenes to show just how talented of a performer she is. Hathaway makes out better than any other actor in the ensemble.
Other actors do a nice job in smaller roles, most notably Samantha Morton as the witchy Circe. John Leguizamo gets the featured supporting role as Eumaeus, Odysseus’s faithful servant. Bill Irwin stands in as the aforementioned cyclops Polyphemus, while Himesh Patel supports Odysseus throughout as his second-in-command Eurylochus. Elliot Page also has a few standout scenes as Sinon, a plot-important character who echoes throughout the film.
The stunt casting elsewhere is relatively pointless. Corey Hawkins, Mia Goth, Logan Marshall-Green, Jovan Adepo, Ryan Hurst, Jon Bernthal, and Will Yun Lee show up for quick spurts of pointlessness. Pattinson, the main antagonist, also does very little. For an actor who is willing to do whatever the film asks of him to do, the film has nothing for his characterization to even make him interesting. Smarter casting would have done this film a great service.
But, all that barely matters when you have 12-foot-tall men slaughtering Greeks. Who needs a good script when you can have a memorable visit to the underworld and see the dead? When you have horror elements of men turning into pigs or a cyclops chomping off soldier’s heads, who cares if there is too much exposition? The film never feels as long as it’s nearly three-hour length.
The Odyssey is classic Christopher Nolan. While it might feature some of his most visually captivating work, it also contains his usual shortcomings. Nonetheless, I was consistently entertained. B
Oscar Chances: Above-the-line nominations like Best Picture and Director will definitely come into play as long as the film makes money. I would be dubious of any acting nominations unless they push hard for Hathaway or Morton. Below the line, Production Design, Visual Effects, Cinematography, Film Editing, Sound, Costume Design, Casting, and Original Score could be expected.
Reader Comments (32)
“Zendaya, one of the most dynamic young actresses of her generation”
This feels like an incantation people speak to make it true. I was impressed with her in Challengers but she is often quite bad, I really don’t understand what people project onto her.
DK - thank you for that. I’ve never been impressed by her at all and she needs to go away haha.
I am really hoping they push for Samantha Morton because she is totally freaking talented and needs more attention! So should have been nominated for The Messenger!!!
I saw The Odyssey today, on the first Thursday afternoon, in a big crowded theatre with a surprisingly quiet and attentive audience.
What I found unexpected was that it was so … pedestrian. What you quite rightly call “clunky dialogue” is only more glaring with recurring exposition by Matt Damon in his flat prosaic voice. Charlize Theron is the one who got the narrative voice right, with her clear cool voice like the kind used by The Chorus in the Greek tragedies.
All the supporting actors are fine, but hampered by little screen time and dumb dialogue. The more time they had, like Samantha Morton, the more they showed to advantage.
The only major acting disappointment (imo) was Matt Damon, who just isn’t interesting enough to be centre stage for 3 hours.
And visually, I found it odd. Maybe as one of the few efforts filming in IMAX, they haven’t quite got the hang of it? I kept thinking, is it the framing that’s off? Is it the visual composition that’s often just average? Is it what’s in the frame that doesn’t engage us?
So I guess I’m not in the “Love It” camp, but I’m happy if other people find it a good time at the movies.
I feel like it’s a lack of imagination and a lack of true stars; You can turn on tons of streaming shows and find young actors doing better, more challenging, more actorly work than Zendaya’s ever done but they don’t happen to be red carpet fixtures with 176 million Instagram followers. “She’s pretty and we like her” has turned into “actress of her generation” in a way that never would have washed if you plopped her down in 2003’s crop of young actresses.
When Zendaya was working on Challengers, she worked with renowned tennis coach Brad Gilbert. Gilbert was impressed with her, saying she had the same qualities top tennis players have: hard work, applied intelligence, persistence, and an excellent sense of time and space.
Directors and professionals like to work with her because she comes across as a colleague, working on how her character fits into the overall picture, not a “look at me” actress.
That she’s great at publicity is the icing on the cake, not the main course.
In The Odyssey, like all the supporting players, Zendaya doesn’t get to do much. She plays the traditional female supportive role, The Listener. She plays it very quietly, as though she is Odysseus’s inner voice, keeping the focus on him.
“Zendaya, one of the most dynamic young actresses of her generation”
Please tell me you didn't write that with a straight face,dynamic is not a word I associate with her 2 expressions and the same for the minimally talented Tom Holland.
Directors and professionals like to work with her because she comes across as a colleague, working on how her character fits into the overall picture, not a “look at me” actress.
Doesn't make you great because you have a good work ethic,Madonna has a good work ethic but is a lousy actress.
She just strikes me as a pretty clothes horse Hollywood is determined to put in everything to viewers and more talented actresses detriment
Morton's the one i'm looking forward to,now there's a dynamic actress and also Theron who really needs some meat on her filmography again.
Nolan is a po faced film maker with little humour so am guessing this film will be the usual slog his films are.
Damon held court for over 2 hrs in The Martian so I feel he's worthy of my time.
Bitches be bitchin', I see.
@No thanks
A - I am a man and definitely no bitch,which is a n awful word in any context.
B - Everyone is entitled here to their opinion,an opinion alternate to the status quo now has become hating
c - Interesting to know your take on Zendaya
Zendaya is certainly one of-if not the- most in demand actresses of her generation. Casting her in this movie must have seen like a win for everyone. But whether they cast her for her talent, her popularity, her relationship with Holland, or any combination of above, it still seems a waste to put her in such a small role.
This review reminds me of the disaster movies of the 70's and 80's- the good and bad. Good in the sense that there is big spectacles and special effects, and bad in the sense that it's an "all star cast" but they are given nothing to do- watch The Swarm- Oscar winners Jose Ferrer and Patty Duke literally just show up to scream and flail around. I'll be seeing the movie next week so I'll see if I still feel that way.
Visit the best completely free website! Don't waste time come in and enjoy all the content.
Interesting review! Nolan's visual storytelling and large-scale action are always impressive, but it's fair to point out that dialogue and character interactions can sometimes feel weaker than the spectacle. It'll be interesting to see how audiences respond to his take on *The Odyssey*. If you're looking for entertainment beyond the theater, you can also check out OnStream Apk for streaming options.
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this film! Considering the current state of the industry, I loved the classic MOVIE energy of The Odyssey. It might be my favorite Christopher Nolan (though I haven't seen them all).
The casting was... Interesting. That was probably my biggest gripe.
MVP: Anne Hathaway, easily. I see her getting nominated for this.
Weakest link: Tom Holland. He was fine overall, but I felt he threw a pivotal moment away.
And why is everyone hating on Zendaya like it's their full-time job? Geez. I understand being underwhelmed by her in Dune, and she's been cast in numerous roles she was too young to play, but anyone doubting her talent clearly hasn't seen Euphoria. I admit she hasn't ever impressed me the way she did on that show, but her performance on the first two seasons of Euphoria is legitimately some of the best acting I've seen in recent years. She's talented. And it certainly doesn't hurt her career by being good at the celebrity side of things as well. I understand not getting someone, or feeling they're inconsistent, but she has proven herself at least on Euphoria. And focusing on her in this thread despite how tiny her role is proves her star power, imo.
Philip H - how was Samantha Morton? Curious about your thoughts on her and a possibility of a nomination or not.
I’ve seen Euphoria but I’mma keep my mouth shut haha. Just kidding - trying to laugh at it all, but I really would like to hear your thoughts on Morton.
Interesting about Holland as Nolan has said what an incredible talent he is and how impressed he was of him in this film.
Tony L - While Morton is quite good in the film, her role is fairly small, only present for one key sequence (she does absolutely own that sequence though). Unless there is a massive swell of support for her from critics, I doubt she’ll be a serious contender for a nomination. Especially because I’d imagine the studio will be putting a huge campaign behind Anne Hathaway for supporting actress. Hathaway is quite good as well, and has a much larger role with a big Oscar clip moment. Interesting that Ben didn’t love Pattinson in the role. I thought he shared best in show honors with Hathaway personally. One of the very few roles in the entire film that felt genuinely well cast.
Tony - agree with Stephen. She's riveting/excellent in the film but only in one extended sequence (I think it's my favourite 8ish minutes of the film. She will definitely be FIlm Bitch Nominated under "Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited or Cameo Role". ;) Overall I was slightly disappointed in the acting -- everyone is okay (Holland) to decent (80% of cast) to good (Damon/Pattinson/Page) to very good (Hathaway/Morton) but it's not giving in the way that the crafts are. But then I've never thought Nolan was an actors director.
I was surprised how engaged I was for the full three hours though. I'm happy it's doing well even if I want all movies to think about economy in storytelling (the bloat these days. Sheesh) Still if anything is going to be 3 hours long, the Odyssey deserves to be given that it's an epic comprised of multiple extended vignettes
Oh even though I liked the movie I do have one gripe and I am dreading it's almost certain nomination in Best Casting. To me this is the classic example of a film that is arbitrarily cast based solely on who wants to work with Nolan and who is famous. It feels like they just went "who is famous that will make themselves available?" and called it a day. Like an agency package rather than a full vision of the characters.
Yeah, Samantha Morton was very impressive. Her sequence was my partner's favorite of the film (and he is not well-versed when it comes to film, so he doesn't know who Morton is). There's something that feels more modern about her character and aside from Anne Hathaway, it's the only moment we really get a little diva energy, so I think that has a lot to do with it.
She was absolutely a standout, but, as great as she is, the most I see her getting is one or two critics nominations at the end of the year.
Interesting review! Nolan's visual storytelling and large-scale action are always impressive, but it's understandable that some viewers feel the emotional depth and character interactions don't always match the scale of the spectacle. It'll be fascinating to see how audiences respond to The Odyssey. For those who enjoy exploring different ways to watch movies and TV shows, there are movies apks available to suit different preferences and viewing styles.
If Morton stays in the conversation for the rest of the year and gets some critics nominations i'd say she is a possibility and let's not forget she's in a mostly male dominated film and has what most feel is THE best scene in the film and becuase it's small and key she will be remembered.
Yeah, but I think Anne Hathaway is going to be the main push for Supporting Actress. She has the meatiest female role, is the best acting of the film, and is having a big year. She also hasn't been nominated since her win and I think people will finally be ready to welcome her back to the Oscars.
I also don't think The Odyssey is the kind of movie that will score a bunch of acting nominations, especially for a very small role. It's going to be a stronger player in tech categories. I could see it getting Anne Hathaway and that's it. Matt Damon is a possibility in Best Actor too but outside of them two I don't see it happening.
But of course, we shall see. Never say never. But it's easy to think about Morton now when there are few contenders to think about. As the year progresses there will be more and more competition. It would have to be a very weak Supporting Actress year for her to happen imo - and that is almost never going to happen anymore since leads go supporting these days.
I think Morton absolutely could get nominated, look at small role recognition for Rossellini and Madigan in recent years, but I don't think she will, because I think anyone who wants to give a BSA nomination for this film will probably look to Hathaway. It's too bad, because Morton is out of this world good in the role.
Leguizamo could also gain traction in Supporting Actor, as he is loved and respected; all depends on how the season plays out! Could receive 0 acting nominations!
Absolutely loved it and was completely enthralled! Thought the casting was fun and was so cool seeing movie stars in every speaking role just as pure popcorn.
Nathaniel - curious what you thought of John Leguiziamo? I love him as an actor and happy he might get his due.
Also on second watch thought Damon was incredible and I too was skeptical re: him in period. Elliot Page has really stuck with me as well and Morton/Hathaway agreed are best in show.
None of the female roles deserves accolades for this. Agree that Morton and Hathaway are the best, but Morton as most of the stars in this movie does a cameo and Hathaway’s performance is a collection of Oscar clips.
The same can be said for the male performances aside Leguizamo. That would be a deserved nomination.
The practical effects for the 50-foot Cyclops sound incredible! I’ll definitely find some Greek myth dibujos para colorear for my kids while I go enjoy this visual spectacle in IMAX.
If it's a collection of Oscar clips she's probably in,deserving or not,i'll wait till this arrives on TV.
Great performances need a script that allows actors to truly show their abilities. When I finish exploring movie reviews and entertainment topics, slope game is a fun way to relax for a few minutes.
This is an interesting review that highlights the storytelling style, visual ambition, and creative approach behind Christopher Nolan’s work. It’s always fascinating to see how filmmakers reinterpret classic stories while adding their own unique perspective. Tools like formato de imagen sin fondo can also help create cleaner visuals for film discussions, reviews, and creative projects.
I felt the same way watching some of Nolan's films—the breathtaking visuals often leave a stronger impression on me than the quieter character moments. After an intense movie, unwinding with the PolyTrack game is a nice change of pace that still keeps me engaged.
Great review! Christopher Nolan always creates films that inspire discussion, and this analysis highlights both the strengths and complexity of his storytelling. After reading reviews like this, I enjoy revisiting films with the DixMax app, which offers a simple way to organize and browse my favorite movies and TV shows. Looking forward to more insightful reviews like this.
Great review, Nolan really knows how to create immersion. For modern media sites or digital ticketing, smooth checkouts are essential. Taking time to choose a payment service provider suited to your transaction volume makes running online digital services effortless.
It's sad that this site hasn't had a new post in almost 3 weeks...
I hope Nathaniel is well and the rest of the contributing editors are ok.
This was always the 1st site I'd check at the start of each day. I miss you guys!
I wouldn't worry i'm sure it's just summer holidays before the pre Oscar festivals and post Oscar blues hitting plus what has there of interest to report on,could us another Almost There.