The Odyssey Review
Christopher Nolan's long awaited adaptation of The Odyssey has been released and I could not wait to give my thoughts on this. Unlike, everyone else The Odyssey was not in my school curriculum so when I first heard about this I had to do some research on this story to at least have some knowledge going into this film. The Odyssey tells the story of Odysseus (played by Matt Damon) who has to go through hell and back with his soldiers to return home to his wife and son (Penelope played by Anne Hathaway and Telemachus played by Tom Holland) after 20 years.
I would like to start on the supporting cast before I end with the lead actor our lead actor Matt Damon. After watching John Leguizamo phenomenal transformation in this film I think he deserves a Best Supporting Actor nomination during this award season seeing how the Academy loves physical transformations. John Leguizamo plays Eumaeus who is the best friend of Odysseus who is very loyal to him and his wife Penelope. John Leguizamo is an incredible actor and I feel as if he really showcased in this performance that he is able to display his range.
Let me just say this about Tom Holland: I am so glad to see him in a big summer epic other than Spider-Man. As Telemachus what he lacks in leadership, intelligence and physical strength (something that his father Odysseus excells at) he more than makes up for in his bravery and compassion. Since Odysseus has been away Telemachus has been trying to prove not only his physical strength but that he is ready to sit on his father's throne. However, Telemachus is still a boy that thinks that he is a man, meanwhile, he hasn't proven that he is worthy of sitting on the empty throne that possesses a lot of power and responsibility.
Now I could not wait to get to this: Robert Pattinson as Antinous. It is absolutely amazing how Robert Pattinson has been able to have such a phenomenal career resurgence after those awful Twlight films. Not only is he a completely different actor since those films but he has rarely had any L's since Twlight. Antinous is nothing more than a scumbag who is envious of despises Telemachus because he feels he is not worthy of the throne.
Not only can you add this to the three films that Robert Pattinson is starring alongside with Zendaya this year (The Drama, The Odyssey and Dune: Part Three) but you can also add it to one of his best performances.
You would be scrolling for several minutes if I were to talk mostly about the supporting cast so let's head to our main lead of the film: Matt Damon as Odysseus. Remember when I said that Telemachus lacks leadership, physical strength and knowledge? Well, Matt Damon displays this exceptionally throughout the entire film and it's easily one of his best performances.
Odysseus is someone that you just trust to follow into battle with. He is more than willing to put his life on the line for his own men even if it involves some casualties along the way. When Odysseus returns home he doesn't come back the same man that he left. He returns home with heartbreak and PTSD with the amount of lose that he witnessed first hand. Not just with the fall of Troy but also with his men as well.
When it comes to Nolan's projects we all are aware that he is an advocate for practical effects and VFX which I am all for considering it adds more of a sense of realism. The Cyclops/7 foot tall soldier scenes were absolutely terrifying to watch and at times it feels like you're watching a horror movie due to the score/sound editing. Due to the sound editing as an audience member you're able to experience the amount of physical pain and emotional torture that Odysseus and his men went through and it's really captivating.
Everyone else may agree with my first statement when I say this: this is the most visually stunning and emotionally devastating film of 2026. Where people may disagree with me is my second statement: this is Nolan's best project and his most diverse cast I've seen yet. There are performances that people may enjoy more than others just due to the lack of screen time and their role in the overall story. I would absolutely love to thank Nolan for crafting a phenomenal film not only about the physical wounds of war but the mental wounds as well regarding PTSD and depression.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
