The Odyssey (2026) Movie Review

Christopher Nolan has released his movie on 17th July 2026, based on the Greek mythology/fantasy epic “The Odyssey”. This movie is an adaptation of Homer’s classic poem of the same name. The entire picture was shot on IMAX film with a budget of $250 million. In this movie, Nolan cast Matt Damon as Odysseus, Tom Holland as Telemachus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, and Zendaya as Athena. Other noticeable actors also featured in the movie include Elliot Page, Charlize Theron, Robert Pattinson, and Benny Safdie.

Story & Ending Explained: Nolan's Homer Adaptation Reviewed

The movie is mainly about Odysseus’s journey back home to Ithaca, which took him 10 years to reunite with his wife Penelope, following the decade-long Trojan War. Along the way, he encounters a series of monsters, a witch, and gods who are determined to stop him from reaching his home, his wife, and his son. After overcoming all the obstacles, he was finally able to return home but disguised his true identity and acted as a beggar to observe what awaited him in Ithaca.

Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey vs Homer's Original: What the Movie Changed

Nolan has captured the Odysseus all the epic journey from Homer's epic, while omitting a notable episode from the original poem, Odysseus’s meeting with King Alcinous, who sheltered and aided him. But for general viewers, I think this omission may not be significant in the film's narrative, but for those who have read the book, this may feel like something is missing.

Cinematography, Timeline Structure & Should You Watch It in 2D or IMAX?"

When we talk about Christopher Nolan and his crew's work in this movie, we can say that it’s a masterpiece; all the characters in the movie performed naturally which made me forget they were actually acting. The cinematography of the movie was flawless. My best moment was watching the underworld where Odysseus met Sinon, Agamemnon, and his dead soldiers. Everything felt authentic, from the mythological creatures, cyclops and the sea monster, to the ship in thunderstorms. What truly impressed me most is that Nolan and his team actually filmed in real locations across the world, which shows why digital effects alone cannot capture that raw quality.

One of the most engaging things in this movie is how Cristopher Nolan has played with the timeline - where we can see multiple timelines being weaved, jumping between different periods in Odysseus’s journey and what’s happening back home; even though it’s a complex narrative it will keep you engaged as you piece it together.

In Nepal, we do not have IMAX theatre and 3D halls, so I watched the movie in 2D. I really loved it - I think it is one of the best movies of his career. I recommend that people watch it. Additionally, if you are interested in Greek mythology or appreciate realistic and practical filmmaking, it's a must-watch. If possible, watch it in the IMAX studio to get the full experience of the movie.