5 signs The Odyssey may be Nolan's biggest epic yet

Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has cleared its first major test: the earliest reactions are overwhelmingly positive, with professional critics praising its scale, performances and unexpected use of horror. Yet the strongest responses suggest the film is not simply a three-hour parade of monsters and battles. At its centre is a damaged man trying to reach a family that has spent years fighting to preserve his home.

What We Know So Far

The film follows Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, on the long journey from the Trojan War back to Ithaca, where Penelope, played by Anne Hathaway, and their son Telemachus, played by Tom Holland, are waiting. The journey brings Odysseus into contact with the Cyclops, the Sirens and Calypso, while a separate struggle unfolds at home as Antinous, played by Robert Pattinson, seeks to marry Penelope and rule Ithaca.

The first reaction wave has been unusually strong. The Hollywood Reporter gathered early responses describing the film as dense but accessible, packed with major set pieces and driven by performances from its unusually large cast. Several reactions singled out Samantha Morton, while others praised Holland, Hathaway, Damon and Pattinson.

The scale is significant, but the response to the film's darker material may be more revealing. The Hollywood Reporter cited praise for a fully developed horror sequence, while other early viewers described a final act among Nolan's strongest work. Forbes reported that the initial mini-reviews were uniformly positive, although it also acknowledged a basic limitation: these are social-media reactions released before full scored reviews.

That distinction matters. An early wave can establish momentum, but audiences will ultimately judge whether Nolan has transformed Homer's episodic structure into a satisfying film. The available responses suggest he has attempted to connect the spectacle through themes of leadership, trauma, family and the consequences of Odysseus's own decisions.

Reactions & Responses

The loudest praise has focused on the film's size without dismissing its emotional core. Forbes described the early verdict as remarkably consistent, with reviewers calling the film one of Nolan's strongest works and a major awards contender.

Christopher Nolan's #TheOdyssey is an absolute triumph and a crowning cinematic achievement from one of the great filmmakers of our time.

Not every response was unqualified. IndieWire's early reaction, reproduced by The Hollywood Reporter, praised the film's themes and IMAX scale while calling parts of it clunky. That criticism provides a useful counterweight to the more ecstatic responses: a sprawling myth can be visually overwhelming and still face structural problems.

The source material itself helps explain why viewers are responding to more than spectacle. A BBC examination of Homer's poem argues that women, goddesses and mythical figures repeatedly shape Odysseus's fate. Penelope resists 108 suitors, Athena repeatedly intervenes, and figures such as Calypso, Circe and the Sirens challenge his judgement as much as his physical strength.

On the Ground

For Australian audiences, the immediate question is whether the film justifies a premium cinema trip. The Age says The Odyssey opens on 16 July, giving local moviegoers an earlier date than the 17 July release cited by several international sources.

The appeal may depend on which Odysseus Nolan has chosen to emphasise. Australian commentary has highlighted the hero's deceit, ego, emotional vulnerability and capacity for violence. That makes the film more demanding than a conventional adventure about a flawless king defeating monsters. The strongest version of this story asks audiences to follow a man who can be clever, destructive and deeply human at the same time.

Coming Up

The next decisive step is the full critical verdict, followed by the Australian cinema opening on 16 July. Early reactions have created high expectations, but longer reviews will show whether praise for the film's scale survives closer scrutiny of its pacing, adaptation choices and nearly mythic range of characters.

The film is also driving fresh interest in Homer. Variety reported that a 768-page deluxe hardbound edition combining The Iliad and The Odyssey reached No. 1 on Amazon ahead of the release, showing how Nolan's film is already sending some viewers back to the original stories.

At a Glance

• Early reactions to The Odyssey are overwhelmingly positive.
• Matt Damon plays Odysseus, with Anne Hathaway as Penelope and Tom Holland as Telemachus.
• Reviewers have praised the scale, cast, final act and an unexpected horror sequence.
• Some early criticism has focused on clunky elements and adaptation changes.
• The Age says the film opens in Australia on 16 July.
• Full reviews and audience responses will provide the next major test.