There are plenty of literary classics that have made their way onto the big screen time and time again over the decades, but few are as old as the works of Homer. Odysseyand even fewer have been adapted on the epic scale and Hollywood budget that Christopher Nolan used to create Odyssey to life. Starring Matt Damon as Greek hero Odysseus, who embarks on a dangerous journey home after fighting in the Trojan War, the film received rave reviews from critics, who called it one of Nolan’s most impressive achievements.
What about the audience? Those who have been confirmed to have seen the film overwhelmingly agree with critics as Odyssey It’s not only “Certified Fresh” on the Tomatometer, but also “Verified Hot” on the Popcorn Meter, with fans lavishing all sorts of praise for the acting, storytelling, atmosphere, music and, of course, the IMAX cinematography.
Find out what viewers are saying Odyssey below. And if you’ve already seen the film, leave your review here.
These reviews have been condensed and edited for clarity.
“What a masterpiece. This is not only a technical achievement, but also a cultural one. In a hyperbolic and dissatisfied world, this shows how good we are and how history is doomed to repeat itself. One of Nolan’s best films (if not his greatest moment to date), this is a blockbuster with a deeply rooted message that will stand the test of time, because of how much time our civilization has.”
— Kenny 
“Read and study Iliad And Odyssey as an English major over 30 years ago. Imagery, adventure, unexpected turns of events – it’s all present in this retelling. Some of the big events I was expecting didn’t happen or happened differently, but for me that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story. Great acting, cinematography, etc. Overall 10 out of 10. I watched it in IMAX format, which just added to the overall epicness of this film.”
– Heather
“Christopher Nolan Odyssey is a triumphant reminder that the oldest stories are often the most enduring… Matt Damon gives one of the best performances of his career as Odysseus. He conveys the intelligence, weariness and quiet determination of the king without ever slipping into caricature… Visually, the film is breathtaking… Perhaps the film’s greatest strength is Nolan’s script. Instead of over-explaining Homer’s poetry or cluttering it with unnecessary explanations, he trusts the audience. The dialogue is sparse, focused and often profound… Great adaptations don’t replace the source material – they remind us why it became immortal in the first place. Nolan Odyssey does just that.“
— Pam K. 
“What an incredible experience! I’ll definitely be watching it tonight. It feels like I’m back in that era and the way he shot the film makes the climax even more exciting. Everything is so well thought out that it’s easy to imagine the story unfolding in my head. It was truly an unforgettable journey and this is how movies should be in the cinema“
— Zohaib A.
“I just expected more, despite all the hype and ratings…”
— Nick Zee 
“In a world that often forgets its roots, the work of Christopher Nolan Odyssey calls us to remember. This is one of the foundational stories of humanity – and there is a reason why these ancient epics exist and require revival. Yes, this is an artistic interpretation of Homer’s artistic interpretation of the events of the centuries before him. But Nolan’s film perfectly captures the essence of the human journey and the brutal struggle of mortals: a deep homesickness, the heavy cost of intelligence and survival, and the winding path to redemption and reunion. Matt Damon’s Odyssey feels achingly real on a mythical scale, and the all-star cast (including Anne Hathaway as Penelope and Tom Holland as Telemachus) brings these timeless themes to life. I’ll watch it again – next time in IMAX, where it belongs.”
—Katie K.
“The absolute best film of my generation, if not my entire life. Christopher Nolan has created the work of his life. It builds on all of his films before Odysseyleft me empty. I cried, I laughed, I was afraid. Absolutely flawless.”
— Samuel
“Some might say Nolan has nothing to prove at this point, but he’s directing Odyssey as if his career depended on it. We all know it: it’s one of the oldest and most popular stories of all time, and this movie reminds you why. It’s raw, brutal and terrible, and often shows Nolan at his most ambitious, which is just insane. At its core, the film is about the simple but universal concept of caring for others, especially those in need, and how violence can be necessary to maintain that ideal. There truly seems to be something for everyone, with epic battles, creatures, and family history that most can relate to. Epic in every sense of the word, it’s everything you’d expect and more.
— Dustin 
“A stunningly magnificent journey into Greek mythology, where these 70mm IMAX images are so breathtaking they’ll make you both Greek and a little seasick.
— Harish R.
“Good film. Nothing that can create a wow factor or really top it. Odyssey There should have been some great moments, but that essence wasn’t conveyed as well as it could have been. Some more very good scenes and cinematography.”
— John 
“The absolute best film of my generation, if not my entire life. Christopher Nolan has created the work of his life. It builds on all of his films before Odysseyleft me empty. I cried, I laughed, I was afraid. Absolutely flawless.”
— Samuel
“Those who doubted Christopher Nolan’s abilities say they were wrong for three hours straight. Homer’s epic has been around for thousands of years, yet this film retells it like no other, and everything from the sound to the acting is top notch. From start to finish, this movie keeps you on your feet. It gets better and better until it reaches one of the best endings in cinema. Without a doubt the best film of 2026 and one of the best films of Nolan and of all time.”
— Christian R.
“Visually beautiful, but too long and a bit preachy.”
– Andrey
“Odyssey feels epic. It feels long, which is appropriate for a film that spans decades, but it doesn’t drag or lose interest. The cast is great, with a couple of exceptions in my opinion. It’s not that the acting was bad, but rather that the actors looked too clean and modern for their roles as soldiers. Visually, the film is a stunning treat for the eyes with a huge variety of outdoor settings and varying lighting. Followers of Nolan’s work will see how he takes what he learned from his earlier films and applies it here. It’s worth watching on the biggest screen, which can be an odyssey in itself.”
— Paul S.
“Nolan… sound. The pacing got a little wonky in the third act. Other than that, this is a true epic, worthy of repeat viewing in the best IMAX format you can find.. A stellar performance from a stellar cast.”
— Knox
“Incredible! I was glued to my seat and watched in awe of the look, the aesthetics, the atmosphere, the sound design – just the color grading – but the acting, the direction, the pacing, the storyline – this is quite possibly one of the best films I’ve ever seen. Will be going back to see it in 70mm IMAX ASAP.”
— Daniel B.
“Definitely a well-made film with outstanding visuals, but the film is a heavy mess with poor casting and poor dialogue with misplaced accents. The lack of attempt at any kind of authenticity really takes you out of the film. The last ten minutes were outstanding, but it’s a shame that everything that comes before it is disappointing.”
— Brandon 
“This is epic. What you experience, not what you observe. It won’t entertain you, it will move you. It will hold you in place and keep you looking; you want to look away, but you can’t. This one will stay with you.”
– Autumn
“I would recommend watching a summary of the original story on YouTube for context before watching this film. It will definitely enhance the experience. Some of the director’s choices are interesting (besides the obvious unorthodox casting and production design, which really enhance the film). But the film also benefits from great acting all around (especially from Matt Damon, who should win an Oscar) and outstanding photography, sound and music. Scenes where the eerie, supernatural mood is at the center are the best. Overall, this is a wonderful film that doesn’t let go and keeps you in suspense.”
— Christian D.
Odyssey is now in cinemas. Buy tickets to Fandango.
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