Opinion: The Odyssey (2026) - not spoiler free

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey brings Greek mythology to life. It follows Odysseus (Matt Damon), the King of Ithaca, on his perilous journey home after the Trojan War.

Battling monsters and unpredictable forces, he faces a series of trials that test his courage, loyalty and determination to return to his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and son Telemachus (Tom Holland).

It does not feel like a long film at all, despite a running time of around 2 hours and 50. The story is set up instantly, even for those who are not familiar with Greek mythology, and every scene matters. Even though the storytelling is non-linear, there is clarity. The shifts in time add depth to Odysseus’s journey rather than making the story feel confusing or fragmented.

Consequences of action is one of the most central and recurring themes in Greek mythology.

Odysseus' prolonged journey home is viewed as a direct consequence of his actions, turning his voyage home into a reckoning with the choices he has made.

I love the mystery that surrounds Odysseus and the way that it unravels. The film cleverly draws on the tradition of oral storytelling, using word of mouth as a natural and integral part of the narrative. This is particularly well done through Eumaeus (John Leguizamo), Odysseus’ faithful servant and friend.

John Leguizamo's performance as Eumaeus is a standout for me. Himesh Patel's performance as Eurylochus, Odysseus' second in-command, is also compelling.

However, Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway steal the show as main characters. Although Odysseus is the focus of the story, in some ways the audience’s emotional investment in the story hinges on Anne Hathaway’s performance.

Antinous (Robert Pattinson) is amongst a number of suitors vying for Queen Penelope's hand while she awaits the return of Odysseus who she has not seen in 20 years. He is conniving and represents the various challenges Queen Penelope must navigate alone.

Matt Damon is a natural. As I was watching him, I thought about all the other roles I've seen him in over the years. Like most, I have grown up seeing Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway on the big screen. It makes you wonder how much mental strength it takes to move so convincingly from one persona to another over the course of a career.

Matt Damon's presence is his strong suit rather than any obvious physical or theatrical transformation. He has a rare ability to simply become a character. There is no grand transformation or exaggerated performance, just a quiet, convincing immersion that allows the character to emerge organically.

I watched this film in a standard screening at an Odeon Luxe. I can imagine how beautiful it would have been visually in the IMAX screenings because it was stunning in standard. It is also the first film to be shot entirely with IMAX film cameras.

One of my favourite shots in the film, aside from the sunset shots, was when the massive gates of Troy finally open and Agamemnon (Benny Safdie) is stood there.

Almost all of the shots in the film would successfully immerse the viewer in the world of the story. It feels almost cliché to call the cinematography “jaw-dropping,” but there really is no better way to describe it.