Christopher Nolan has been among the absolute top of Hollywood for years and has produced films such as Inception (2010), Interstellar (2014) in Oppenheimer (2023) has built up an impressive filmography. Of The Odyssey (2026), about the iconic journey of Odysseus, he undertakes perhaps his most ambitious project to date. But will the British director be able to outdo himself again with his film adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey?
When bigger can always be bigger
Christopher Nolan has developed into one of Hollywood’s leading directors in recent years. With films like The Dark Knight (2008), Inception, Interstellar and the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer he is known for ambitious stories and a preference for practical effects, real sets and location shooting. His productions are also becoming increasingly larger, meaning that every new film comes with high expectations. Of The Odyssey Nolan seems to be increasing that ambition again and venturing into one of the most famous stories in the world. The question is therefore not only whether the film lives up to those expectations, but also whether it can compete with the best work from Nolan’s filmography.
Big in every frame
The Odyssey is a visual spectacle of the highest level. From the first moment, every scene feels bigger than the last. From impressive castles and ships to mysterious caves and vast beaches: Nolan knows how to bring the world of Homer to life on an unprecedented scale. Dutch cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema plays a leading role. His camera work excels in the way he captures the enormous sets and landscapes, without losing sight of the characters. Intimate moments therefore feel just as impressive as the biggest action scenes and every shot contributes to the epic atmosphere of the film.
Nolan learns from the past
Nolan also shows on a narrative level why he is known for his complex narrative structures. The different phases of Odysseus’ journey are constantly interwoven, so the film does not simply jump from adventure to adventure. This makes the structure ambitious, but at the same time surprisingly clear. After that it is sometimes difficult to follow Tenet (2020), Nolan also seems to have listened carefully to the criticism of that film. Despite the non-linear structure remains The Odyssey easy to follow and the story never loses its emotional impact.
The luxury problem of an epic cast
The cast also delivers work of an exceptional level and multiple Oscar nominations do not seem inconceivable. At the same time, it’s a shame that actors like Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson and Zendaya don’t get more screen time. Not because their characters fall short, but precisely because their presence is so strong that as a viewer you would have liked to enjoy these versions of the characters longer. However, this does not detract from the film or their performance; their roles fit perfectly within the bigger picture. For viewers less familiar with the original story, the first act can be a bit confusing due to the number of characters and names. Fortunately, this quickly falls into place. The long running time may be a turn-off for some viewers, but those who immerse themselves in Nolan’s world will notice that the length does not detract from the experience. The film takes its time to portray its story, characters and world, without it feeling unnecessarily long.
A new classic from Nolan?
The Odyssey reaffirms the craftsmanship of Christopher Nolan. The structure, the acting and the way he manages to translate an age-old story into a modern cinema experience show why he is one of the absolute top of today’s filmmakers. This is a film that should be experienced on the largest screen possible, with an IMAX showing being especially preferred. The scale, images and sound are fully appreciated there. Or The Odyssey ultimately belongs to Nolan’s absolute masterpieces, will only become clear after several viewings and with the necessary distance. But it already seems certain that this film ranks high in his impressive filmography.
Beeld: ‘The Odyssey’ via Universal Pictures
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