ReviewNolan reinterprets ancient myth as deeply human drama in 'The Odyssey'

Matt Damon in a scene from “The Odyssey” / Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Renowned director Christopher Nolan has returned to the big screen with "The Odyssey," taking on one of humanity's oldest epics and reinterpreting it into an immersive, deeply human drama.

Based on Homer's ancient Greek epic poem, the 172-minute film follows Odysseus (Matt Damon) on his grueling 20-year journey back to his homeland of Ithaca after leading the Greeks to victory in the Trojan War.

Along the way, Odysseus faces tough challenges from gods and monsters, including the giant Polyphemus, the witch Circe and the sea goddess Calypso. Meanwhile, back in his home of Ithaca, his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway) stands up against dangerous men trying to take his throne, while his son Telemachus (Tom Holland) struggles with growing up without a father.

Nolan uses his signature nonlinear storytelling to condense the vast 20-year narrative into a tight, compelling structure.

Instead of showing Odysseus as an unbeatable mythic hero, the film focuses on the mind of a lonely, tired soldier. He is driven not by victory, but by trauma and a deep longing to find redemption and return home.

Filmmaker Christopher Nolan, center, shoots his movie “The Odyssey.” Courtesy of Universal Pictures

The director's obsession with practical filmmaking shines through in every frame, offering a striking alternative to standard computer-generated spectacles.

The scenes inside the Trojan Horse are filmed very carefully. By trapping the audience in the dark, cramped space with the soldiers, the director creates a truly suffocating feeling of tension.

To capture this scale, Nolan shot the entire feature using 70-millimeter IMAX film cameras on location across Morocco, Greece, Italy and Iceland. The production team constructed full-scale ancient vessels to sail on real open waters and used giant water tanks powered by actual jet engines to recreate terrifying sea storms.

A poster for Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" / Courtesy of Universal Pictures

The star-studded cast delivers grounded performances that anchor the grand spectacle.

Damon portrays Odysseus as a vulnerable warrior whose true strength comes from endurance rather than brute force. Hathaway brings a quiet, resolute power to Penelope, whose 20-year wait feels like an active struggle to protect her kingdom rather than passive patience. Holland delivers a delicate performance as Telemachus, capturing the growth and uncertainty of a young prince standing in his father's shadow.

Audiences feel how the filmmaker uses the ancient myth to tell a relatable human story, showing that returning home is not just about reaching a location, but about keeping one's humanity through hard times.

For long-time fans, Nolan once again proves why he remains the ultimate defender of the big screen experience, delivering a movie that truly belongs in a real cinema.

“The Odyssey” will hit local theaters on Aug. 5.