There plenty of literary classics that find their way to the big screen over and over again as decades pass, but there aren’t many that are as old as Homer’s Odyssey, and there are even fewer that have been adapted with the kind of epic scale and Hollywood budget that Christopher Nolan has utilized to bring The Odyssey to life. Starring Matt Damon as the Greek hero Odysseus, who sets out on a perilous journey home after fighting in the Trojan War, the film has garnered rave reviews from critics, who have called it one of Nolan’s most impressive efforts.
And as for audiences? Those who have been verified as having seen the film overwhelmingly agree with the critics, as The Odyssey is not only Certified Fresh on the Tomatometer, but also Verified Hot on the Popcornmeter, with fans lavishing all kinds of praises upon the the acting, the storytelling, the atmosphere, the music, and of course, that IMAX cinematography.
Starring:Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson
Check out what audiences are saying about The Odyssey below. And if you’ve already watched the film, leave your own review here.
These reviews have been condensed and edited for clarity.
“What a masterpiece. Not only a technical achievement, but also a cultural one. In a hyperbolic and unsatisfied world, it shows how good we have it and how history is doomed to repeat itself. One of Nolan’s best (if not his most glorious moment to date), it’s a blockbuster with a deep rooted message that will stand the test of time, for how much time our civilization has.”
“Read and studied The Illiad and The Odyssey as an English major 30+ years ago. The images, the adventures, the twists and reveals are all there in this retelling. Some of the big events I was waiting for did not happen or happened in a different way, but for me, it did not detract from my enjoyment of the story. Superb acting, cinematography, etc. Overall 10 out of 10. I did see it in IMAX which just added to everything epic about this movie.”
“Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is a triumphant reminder that the oldest stories are often the most enduring… Matt Damon delivers one of the finest performances of his career as Odysseus. He captures the king’s intelligence, weariness, and quiet determination without ever slipping into caricature… Visually, the film is breathtaking… Perhaps the film’s greatest strength is Nolan’s screenplay. Rather than overexplaining Homer’s poetry or cluttering it with unnecessary exposition, he trusts the audience. The dialogue is lean, purposeful, and often profound… Great adaptations don’t replace their source material—they remind us why it became immortal in the first place. Nolan’s The Odyssey does exactly that.“
— Pam K
“What an incredible experience! I’ll definitely watch it again tonight. It feels like I’ve traveled back in time to that era, and the way he directed the movie makes the climax even more captivating. Everything is so well crafted that it’s easy to imagine the story unfolding in my mind. It was a truly memorable journey, and this is what movies in the theater should be like.”
“I was just expecting more with all the hype and the ratings..”
“In a world that often forgets its roots, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey calls us to remember. This is one of humanity’s foundational stories — and there’s a reason these ancient epics endure and demand to be revived. Yes, this is an artistic interpretation of Homer’s artistic interpretation of events from centuries before him. But Nolan’s film beautifully captures the essence of the human journey and the raw struggles of mortals: the deep longing for home, the heavy cost of cleverness and survival, and the winding path toward redemption and reunion. Matt Damon’s Odysseus feels achingly real amid the mythic scale, and the stellar cast (including Anne Hathaway as Penelope and Tom Holland as Telemachus) brings these timeless themes to vivid life. I’ll be seeing it again — next time in IMAX, where it belongs.”
— Kathy K
“Absolutely the best movie of my generation, if not my life. Christopher Nolan manufactures the creation of his lifetime. It builds from all of his movies prior to The Odyssey, left me empty. I cried, I laughed, I feared. Absolutely impeccable.”
“Some might say Nolan has nothing to prove at this point, but he directs The Odyssey like his career depends on it.We all know it: it’s one of the oldest, most popular stories of all time and this film reminds you why. It’s raw, brutal, and horrifying and often shows Nolan at his most ambitious which is crazy to say. At its core it’s a film about the simple yet universal concept of caring for others, especially those in need, and how violence can be necessary to uphold that ideal. It really feels like there’s something for everyone as there’s epic battles, creatures, and a family story that most will be able to get on board with. Epic in every sense of the word, this provides everything you’d expect and more
— Dustin
“A breathtakingly gorgeous journey into Greek mythology—where those 70mm IMAX visuals are so immersive they’ll make you both Greek and a little sea-sick.”
“Good movie. Nothing that presents that wow factor or really takes it over the top. The Odyssey should have some larger-than-life moments, but that essence wasn’t captured quite as well as it could have been. Still some very good scenes and cinematography.”
“Absolutely the best movie of my generation, if not my life. Christopher Nolan manufactures the creation of his lifetime. It builds from all of his movies prior to The Odyssey, left me empty. I cried, I laughed, I feared. Absolutely impeccable.”
“To those who doubted Christopher Nolan’s ability, they are proven wrong again for three straight hours. Homer’s epic has been around for thousands of years, and yet, this movie retells it like no other and everything, from the sound to the acting, is top notch.From start to finish, this movie keeps you on your feet. It gets better and better until one of the best endings ever in cinema. No doubt the best movie of 2026 and one of the best from Nolan and of all time.”
“Visually beautiful but too long and a bit preachy.”
“The Odyssey feels epic. It feels long, which for a movie covering decades is appropriate, without ever dragging and losing your interest. The cast is excellent, with only a couple exceptions for me. Not that the performances weren’t good, but rather that the actors looked too clean/modern for their roles as soldiers. Visually, the movie is a stunning treat for the eyes with a huge range of outdoor sets and different lighting. Followers of Nolan’s work can see him taking what he learned from his earlier movies and applying it here. Well worth seeing on the biggest screen possible, which may be an odyssey in and of itself.”
— Paul C
“Nolan… the sound. Pacing got a little wonky in the third act. Other than that, this is a true epic worthy of repeat viewings on the best IMAX format you can find. Stellar performances from its star-studded cast.”
— knox
“Unbelievable! I was glued to my seat watching in awe of the look, the aesthetic, the atmosphere, the sound design – the color grading alone – but the acting, the direction, the pace, the storyline – might easily be one of the best movies I’ve seen in ages. Going back to see it in 70mm IMAX asap.”
“Definitely a well made movie with outstanding visuals, but this film was a dragging mess with poor casting choices and poor dialogue with out-of-place accents to match. The lack of an attempt at any authenticity really takes you out of the movie. The last ten minutes were outstanding, but such a shame everything before it is a let down.”
“It’s an epic. Something that you experience, not something you watch. It’s not going to entertain you, it’s going to move you. It will hold you in place and force you to watch; you wanna turn away but you just can’t. This one will stay with you.”
“I would recommend watching a summary of the original story on YouTube for context before watching this movie. It will definitely enhance the experience. Some of the directorial choices are interesting (beyond the obvious unorthodox casting and production design, which actually enhance the movie). But the film also benefits from great acting all around (particularly from Matt Damon, who should get an Oscar) and outstanding photography and sound and music design. The scenes where the eerie, supernatural mood is at the center are the best. All in all, it’s a beautiful movie that does not let up and keeps you engaged.”
— Christian D
The Odyssey is now in theaters. Buy your tickets on Fandango.
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