Academy Award winner Christopher Nolan has made a career out of championing the theatrical experience, becoming one of the few filmmakers whose name alone can sell a movie. At a time when franchises dominate Hollywood, he has repeatedly proven audiences will show up for original blockbusters like Inception, Interstellar, and Tenet, while also redefining what a comic book film could be with his masterful Dark Knight trilogy.
One of Nolan’s greatest contributions to modern cinema has been his unwavering commitment to IMAX and 70mm filmmaking, pushing both formats further with every project. That journey culminated in 2023’s Oppenheimer, a film that not only proved that adult-oriented, dialogue-driven cinema could become a global box-office phenomenon, but also earned Nolan his long-overdue Academy Award for Best Director.
So, with the rarest commodity in Hollywood—a true blank check—what does Nolan choose as his follow-up?
In true Christopher Nolan fashion, he sets his sights on one of the oldest and most influential stories ever written: Homer’s The Odyssey, a nearly 2,800-year-old epic, while simultaneously making history with the first feature film shot entirely with IMAX cameras.
With expectations at an all-time high, does his latest film live up to the hype, or does it buckle under the weight of overwhelming expectations?
In the spirit of Ben-Hur and Lawrence of Arabia, The Odyssey is a sweeping Hollywood epic unlike anything Christopher Nolan has attempted before. Equal parts intimate character study and awe-inspiring spectacle, it’s the kind of film that reminds you why the theatrical experience still matters. In a world where the phrase “crowning achievement” is thrown around far too easily, The Odyssey may truly be the crowning achievement of 2026.
The Odyssey follows the Greek king Odysseus as he embarks on a perilous journey home to Ithaca following the Trojan War. Along the way, he must outwit mythical creatures, resist impossible temptations, and overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, all in the hope of reuniting with his wife, Penelope, after years apart.
As with many of Christopher Nolan’s screenplays throughout his career, The Odyssey is no different, as its exploration of humanity’s obsession with power and capacity for self-destruction is undeniably compelling. Framed around the Trojan Horse, Nolan examines how humanity’s inhumanity toward one another has repeatedly led to its downfall. In a world still consumed by conflict and division, Nolan transforms a tale more than 2,000 year old tale into something that feels remarkably timely, proving why Homer’s epic continues to resonate today.
Another strength of the screenplay is Nolan’s non-linear approach. Rather than telling the story from beginning to end, he weaves together the parallel journeys of father and son, Odysseus and Telemachus, in a manner reminiscent of The Godfather Part II. As the two narratives gradually converge, their eventual reunion feels earned, making the emotional payoff all the more rewarding.
There’s a level of care given to the film’s ensemble that makes it one of the best, if not the best, of the year. In Christopher Nolan’s past films, rightful critiques have been leveled at the portrayal of women, but The Odyssey never stumbles in that regard. Anne Hathaway is one of the film’s MVPs, capturing Penelope’s despair over her husband’s prolonged absence while steadfastly fending off the suitors threatening the throne. Hathaway brings both unwavering strength and profound emotional resonance to the role, delivering one of the finest performances of her career.
Speaking of the film’s ensemble, Matt Damon delivers one of the most understated yet quietly commanding performances of his career, perfectly capturing Odysseus’ resilience, weariness, and enduring determination throughout his decades-long journey home. John Leguizamo and Samantha Morton emerge as two of the film’s biggest scene-stealers. Leguizamo brings an undeniable sense of loyalty and humanity to his role, while Morton’s haunting turn as Circe is unforgettable, proving that sometimes one scene is all it takes to leave a lasting impression. Robert Pattinson is deliciously vile as Antinous, channeling the same sleazy charisma that made characters like Lester Diamond and Commodus so memorable.
While Tom Holland doesn’t quite reach the same dramatic heights as many of his co-stars, he still delivers one of the strongest performances of his career in quite some time. His portrayal of Telemachus effectively captures the uncertainty of a young man forced to mature in the absence of his father, making his eventual reunion with Damon all the more emotionally satisfying. An honorable mention also belongs to Elliot Page, who elevates one of the film’s most emotionally devastating sequences.
On a technical level, The Odyssey is one of the most breathtaking films ever assembled. It’s not hyperbolic to compare it to the grand epics of Hollywood’s Golden Age because it genuinely feels like it’s been that long since audiences have experienced filmmaking of this magnitude and precision. Jennifer Lame’s meticulous editing allows the three-hour runtime to move at a surprisingly brisk pace, while Hoyte van Hoytema proves more than capable of meeting the challenge of shooting the first feature film entirely with IMAX cameras. The film is filled with images that leave you wondering how they were even captured, particularly during the Cyclops encounter and the numerous sequences at sea. Those moments echo the scale and tension of Jaws and Pirates of the Caribbean, placing The Odyssey firmly on the Mount Rushmore of cinema’s greatest uses of boats and open water.
Elevating these technical achievements even further is Ludwig Göransson’s magnificent score. At this point, praising Göransson’s work has almost become expected, but what continues to separate him from his peers is his remarkable ability to ensure every score feels wholly unique while remaining unmistakably his own. The Odyssey is no exception and may very well be his most ambitious work to date, enhancing every emotional beat and action sequence without ever overpowering the story itself.
With The Odyssey, Göransson has positioned himself to enter into rare company. Not only is he a legitimate contender for a fourth Academy Award, but he also has an opportunity to become one of the few composers in history to win back-to-back Oscars, joining legends such as Franz Waxman and Alan Menken. It’s safe to say Göransson and much of The Odyssey‘s extraordinary creative team will likely hear their names called on nomination morning.
Christopher Nolan has spent the better part of two decades reminding audiences why the theatrical experience matters, and with The Odyssey, he may have delivered the defining work of that mission. Like Homer’s epic before it, this feels like the kind of film that audiences will revisit and celebrate for decades to come. It’s a rare blockbuster that respects its audience, challenges them emotionally, and leaves them in complete awe of what cinema is capable of achieving. Whether The Odyssey ultimately stands as Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece is a conversation time will answer, but one thing is already certain: this isn’t just one of the best films of the year, it’s a landmark cinematic achievement and a powerful reminder of why we continue to fall in love with movies.
