The Odyssey (2026)
Score: 10 / 10
Category: Movie
Platform: Cinema
One-line verdict
A grounded, psychological masterpiece that redefines the Greek epic, proving that Christopher Nolan is still the undisputed king of the thinking man’s blockbuster.
Why I watched this
I chose The Odyssey because it was easily one of the most highly anticipated movies of 2026. I went in blind as usual—I had no idea who Odysseus actually was. I’m a big fan of Greek mythology, but I’ve always been more into the gods and demigods like Zeus and Poseidon rather than the legendary fighters like Achilles or Odysseus. But the combination of Greek mythology and Christopher Nolan was too much to pass up. Nolan is known for delivering grounded movies with massive potential for re-watching, and I knew it wouldn't be a boring experience.
Story & Structure
The movie follows Odysseus (Matt Damon), the warrior who came up with the legendary Trojan Horse idea to penetrate the city of Troy. After 10 years of war, the city falls, and the film focuses on the journey home—specifically, how Odysseus tries to make sense of his actions and the brutal consequences that followed.What’s brilliant about the structure is how Nolan handles the fantasy. Greek mythology is inherently fantastical—gods, Cyclops, Sirens—but Nolan brings his signature grounded approach. He focuses on the human element, making Odysseus a character you can actually relate to. The destruction he brought to Troy haunts him so much that he questions if he even deserves to return home. It’s a nearly three-hour epic (2 hours 55 minutes), but it’s paced perfectly. It covers every angle without feeling rushed or needing cuts.
What worked
Everything worked. This is a 10 out of 10 for me, and we’re only in July. I don’t have a single complaint.The delivery is incredibly grounded. While we know the Cyclops and witches are part of the mythology, Nolan presents them in a way that feels like they could be manifestations of Odysseus’s own grief, PTSD, and mental state. It’s almost as if the monsters are in his head as he struggles to recover from the guilt of war. It gives the movie a "Batman vibe"—very similar to how Nolan handled the hero rising from the ashes in his Dark Knight trilogy. When Odysseus finally begins to recover and push toward home, you feel that same sense of a hero returning that people can finally count on.The casting was also a massive win. I want to point out that the movie had some bad previews because people didn't think certain actors fit the genre. Specifically, Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy. People were saying she wasn't "beautiful enough" for the role, but they were dead wrong. She looked absolutely stunning here—she genuinely looked like the face that would launch a thousand ships. I could see the beauty of it immediately, even if others disagreed. Elliot Page (who plays Sidon, the stable boy who replaces Robert Pattinson's character to go to war) was also a great casting choice. Even in a smaller role, he played it exactly as needed.The technical side—the effects, the camera work—was flawless. Even with the typical Malaysian cinema censorship cutting some of the more gruesome transformations or stabbings, the movie still worked perfectly.
What didn’t
Honestly? Nothing. On hindsight, I can’t think of a single thing that didn't work. The pacing was good, the casting was great, and the flow of the show was seamless. Even when the scene jumps back and forth—a classic Nolan move—it always goes back to explain itself so the viewer is never truly lost. I couldn't think of one thing I’d want to call out as a negative.
What others think
Critics are calling The Odyssey Nolan’s most personal film yet, praising it for its psychological depth and the way it reimagines Homer’s saga for a modern audience. Matt Damon’s performance is being hailed as a career-best, and the "grounded fantasy" approach has sparked a lot of debate online. Some fans are still divided on the casting of Lupita Nyong'o, but many are coming around to Nolan’s vision of Helen as a more complex, haunted figure. The R-rating has also been a point of discussion, with many appreciating that Nolan didn't shy away from the brutality of the Trojan War's aftermath.
Final thoughts
This is easily a contender for Movie of the Year for me. I’m going to review this again when it’s out on digital because I’ll definitely be purchasing it to go through the scenes I might have missed. It’s a complete, perfect cinematic experience that leaves you thinking long after you leave the theater. 10 out of 10.
