POPZ-CULTURE Movie Reviews – The Odyssey (2026)
By: Marton Szakadath
Genre: Action, adventure, drama
Rated: 16
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Written by: Christopher Nolan, based on the work of Homer
Starring: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway
„Tell me, O muse, of that ingenious hero who travelled far and wide…”
Every summer cinema release season features films that are considered among the most eagerly awaited of the year. Alongside sequels, animated films and biographical dramas – which are guaranteed hits – historical films have also become increasingly popular in recent years. Christopher Nolan, who is well known for his ability to adapt his intelligent storytelling and artistic vision to the expectations of today’s mainstream cinema, has followed Oppenheimer with an adaptation of The Odyssey, based on one of the most famous figures in Greek mythology.
The story has not undergone any major changes. We follow the adventurous homecoming of Odysseus, King of Ithaca (Matt Damon), following the Trojan War, a journey filled with physical and emotional trials. In typical Director’s style, the narrative is not entirely linear, so we are also given a detailed overview of the battle won through trickery in the form of flashbacks. It is worth doing a quick refresher on The Iliad before watching, otherwise first-time viewers may feel lost at first when the names and locations are mentioned.
What may come as a surprise to cinema-goers is that the film focuses not only on the journey, but also on the psychological aftermath of the clash. It’s an interesting approach; this adaptation diverges somewhat from the original work, portraying the well-known hero with added motivation and by bringing in different moral perspectives. Of course, despite the dramatic tone, the adventure film element remains present; indeed, certain tense scenes even possess genre traits that border on horror. The soundtrack makes the overall experience even more memorable, with an incredibly effective blend of electronic and metallic sounds.
The otherwise beautiful, consistent visuals also help to create a darker, more sombre atmosphere. The mythological elements are handled and depicted in a very deliberate and unique way; most of the scenes hover on the edge between reality and surrealism, leaving room for the interpretation that what we see is not necessarily tangible reality, but distortions arising from the characters’ states of mind. After a while, the caption that appears in the very first frame of the film makes sense: ‘It’s a time of apparent magic’.
Our initial fears that Matt Damon would be a poor choice for the role of Odysseus have not been justified. The performances are all convincing, and the dialogue also reflects a certain literary ambition. Those looking for historical accuracy will no doubt find fault with the language or the sets, but for us it did not significantly spoil the experience.
All in all, The Odyssey is a superbly crafted film that we can wholeheartedly recommend. Due to its psychological elements and the moments where the tension is particularly high, it is not a traditional adventure film, but it is one of the year’s truly significant releases.
What did you think of the film? Let us know in the comments. We’ll be back soon with more film and TV series recommendations. Follow us on social media, and don’t forget to set out a big bowl of delicious POPZ popcorn to go with your viewing.
