Film Details:
Title: The Odyssey
Original Release: 2026
Director: Christopher Nolan
Writer: Christopher Nolan (based on the epic poem by Homer)
Producer(s): Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan
Starring: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, John Leguizamo, Benny Safdie
Running Time: 183 minutes
Genre: Epic • Fantasy • Adventure • Drama
Certificate: 15 (UK)
Available On: In Cinemas
This review may contain spoilers.
"Finding out the infamous "Let's gooo" scene wasn't Odysseus charging into battle, but running away from his dead compatriots, was truly the greatest plot twist for me.
"I had doubts about Nolan's The Odyssey, but one universal truth about Nolan flicks is that he certainly knows how to close a story. That 3rd act was G-D-like.
"The practical effects of Polyphemus (Cyclops) were breath-taking, i never heard those sounds of agony before, they were terrifying. I am sad that Nolan couldn't make the "Nobody" joke work or even entertain the idea of including it, but it would interfere with the overall vision (heh).
"I'm also glad I wasn't stupid enough to be eating food during the Circe scenes since that would've had me gagging.
"It's hard to pick a standout performance in this one, I was more in awe of the effects and sequences, I think Matt Damon pulled it off by the 3rd act, and every other minor character felt more real to me. Although, Pattinson and Laguizamo were consistently great throughout.
"Gonna have to play a couple more runs of Hades 2 after watching this."
Themes: Homecoming • Identity • Perseverance • Temptation • Leadership • Family • Fate • Sacrifice
Verdict: ★★★★
Worth Watching? Yes. Christopher Nolan delivers a visually ambitious retelling of Homer's epic, combining spectacular practical effects with a deeply human journey. While not every creative choice will satisfy purists, the scale, performances and emotional payoff make it a rewarding cinematic experience.
Final Thought: Every journey ends at home, but The Odyssey reminds us that the greatest voyage is the one that transforms the traveller before he ever reaches it.
After the Credits is an Opinion feature of the Jewish Dispatch.