‘The Odyssey:’ A love story amid political turmoil, greed and corruption

By Wendell Gaa

Christopher Nolan, in my opinion, is one of the modern era’s greatest filmmakers, and his newest movie “The Odyssey” is more than a validation of that fact. 

I had the chance to watch this latest piece by the English director in an IMAX theater here in Ankara, Türkiye, along with a couple of my friends.  Considering that this was a movie by Nolan, my expectations were already considerably high, but by the film’s end they were marvelously exceeded, and I’m happy to say that this is undeniably a worthy follow-up to his 2023 Oscar-winning “Oppenheimer.” 

“The Odyssey” as the very title indicates is Nolan’s adaptation of the ancient Greek poem “Odyssey” by Homer, one of the most influential authors in the history of civilization itself. 

For those of us who were avid readers of Greek mythology while growing up, we are familiar with the poem’s story about the protagonist Odysseus (played by the always capable Matt Damon in the movie), the Greek king of Ithaca, who embarks on an epic long and perilous journey back to his home kingdom after having fought in the Trojan War. Along the way, he encounters beings such as the Cyclops, among several creatures and beasts that are iconic with Greek mythological lore, all the while being under the watch of the Greek goddess of wisdom Athena (Zendaya).   

As if Odysseus’s trials and tribulations while attempting to journey back home along with his loyal soldiers weren’t enough, his long absence from Ithaca causes a void of power and leadership back home, one which many corrupt and greedy men in the kingdom are keen in filling through any manipulative and scheming way possible. One of them is Antinous (Robert Pattinson), a suitor to Penelope (Anne Hathaway), the alluring queen wife of Odysseus.  As many in Ithaca, including the queen herself, are in heavy doubt about the survival of Odysseus, an environment filled with tension and a desperate need for order and survival is created, many attempt to vie for the throne as suitors to Penelope and eventually gain the kingship through marriage to her. 

Only Telemachus (Tom Holland), the noble-hearted son of Odysseus and Penelope and the prince of Ithaca, truly believes that his father is still alive and departs on his own quest to find Odysseus and learn the truth about what had happened to him on his expedition. 

Nolan’s approach to telling the story of Odysseus has some interesting similarities yet also unique versions of the true rightful king on his quest to return home, and his deep love for his wife Penelope. This longing inspires him to soldier on through the insurmountable challenges which he encounters to reunite with his beloved forms a central heart and core to Odysseus’s onscreen voyage. 

But this film is clearly more than just a mere love story as well, for just like in “Oppenheimer,” political themes of the dangers of the abuse of power and authority are ever constant throughout “The Odyssey.” These are story elements which are as every bit as urgent and relevant for modern society today just as they were in ancient Greek times.  The fact that this movie can drive home this blatant warning to us today is a testament to the genius of Christopher Nolan as a brilliant cinematic storyteller and auteur. 

Moreover, this is also very much a tale about literal and figurative self-discovery as Odysseus endures both physical and mental hardship as he learns more about the fine line between heroism and villainy which oftentimes can appear obscure, especially on a moral level, while he journeys home.

The ensemble cast here is perfect, with notable standout leading performances by Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, and Tom Holland, along with supporting performances by Charlize Theron, John Leguizamo, Jon Bernthal, Lupita Nyong’o, and Samantha Morton. 

For the fact alone that this is the very first film to be shot entirely in IMAX camera format, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that “The Odyssey” is the event film for 2026. It now ranks as my favorite movie for this year by far, and as a reminder of the power of cinema, it is one which needs to be watched in the movie house for a fully immersive experience.