Christopher Nolan is one of the few directors who can create a lot of excitement and buzz just for... well, directing a movie. It doesn't matter whether he's crafting a superhero epic, a biopic about one of the most influential figures of World War II, or a tale about two magicians trying to outdo each other with dangerous tricks—he always manages to deliver unforgettable cinematic experiences that stay in audiences' minds long after they leave the movie theater.
However, that also means there are monumental expectations behind every one of his projects, and The Odyssey is no different.
The Odyssey attempts to deliver one of the most ambitious renditions of Greek mythology on the big screen. It follows the journey of Odysseus (Matt Damon) after the Trojan War as he tries to return home to his wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), and his son, Telemachus (Tom Holland). This highly anticipated adventure not only marks Nolan's first full venture into the epic fantasy genre, but it is also the first blockbuster to be filmed entirely with IMAX cameras. Coupled with an all-star cast and an Oscar-winning composer in Ludwig Göransson, it's easy to see why the world is eager to see The Odyssey, and it seems the long wait paid off.
Initial reactions to Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey are as epic as the movie itself
The Odyssey's world premiere took place on July 6, 2026, in London, England, with initial reactions coming shortly after. While we'll still have to wait until Wednesday, July 15, for full reviews, the film is already off to a fantastic start, receiving overwhelmingly positive acclaim. Nolan's latest epic appears to be as big in scope as a wooden horse used to breach the city of Troy. So, without further ado, here's a glimpse of what awaits us when we finally watch The Odyssey:
THE ODYSSEY is a staggering achievement. It boasts spectacular & even terrifying set pieces that feel like Christopher Nolan fully embracing the horrors of Greek mythology. Yet, how he tastefully recontextualizes the story for the modern day is what has kept my head buzzing (1/2) pic.twitter.com/x1GJbwSOEK
— Andrew J. Salazar (@AndrewJ626) July 6, 2026
Co-owner and managing editor of Discussing Film, Andrew J. Salazar, points out that The Odyssey not only marks Nolan's first full venture into the fantasy genre but also has some horror elements sprinkled throughout. Despite being out of his comfort zone, the acclaimed director managed to craft a hopeful tale that will dive into "what it would take for us to truly forgive our past sins."
Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ is INCREDIBLE.
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) July 6, 2026
I'm really blown away by this film. Everything from the flawless performances to the way Nolan embraces the supernatural is just perfect.
If you can, SEE IT IN @IMAX 70mm. It’s a jaw dropping experience.
It'll be great… pic.twitter.com/UXEAjF8cKk
Collider's editor-in-chief Steven Weintraub praises The Odyssey's performances and the way Nolan embraced the more fantastical elements of its source material, Homer's Odyssey. Furthermore, it seems audiences will be in for a grand visual spectacle. Given that Nolan's latest film was filmed entirely with IMAX cameras, it comes as no surprise that the best place to watch it would be on IMAX 70mm screens.
Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of THE ODYSSEY is as epic as movies get with some of the most breathtaking set pieces he’s ever attempted. A colossal achievement of scale, even by Nolan’s standards, its commitment to capturing as much as possible in-camera using new IMAX cameras… pic.twitter.com/UOOHd6lkbT
— Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) July 6, 2026
Owner & editor-in-chief of Next Best Picture, Matt Neglia praises The Odyssey's moving story, its ambitious set pieces, and the performances from its all-star cast. Despite the fact that many iconic actors are part of Nolan's latest epic, it seems each and every one of them gets their chance to shine. Furthermore, it appears Ludwig Göransson delivered once again a fantastic score that elevates the film as a whole.
The Odyssey: a surprisingly natural (and less despairing) Oppenheimer follow-up about a man haunted by defying the gods & dooming civilization - this one fights to avenge his own hubris. IMAX obviously immense. too clunky to be S-tier Nolan, but the last act rewards the journey.
— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) July 6, 2026
IndieWire's chief film critic David Ehrlich says The Odyssey has some of the same themes that made Nolan's previous movie, Oppenheimer, so beautifully haunting. Audiences are about to see the internal conflicts of a man who dared defy the gods and may have doomed his people along the way (except this time, in a completely different setting).
Check out a handful of other social reactions to The Odyssey:
THE ODYSSEY is a filmmaking feast. A grand and gripping rendition of Homer’s epic, and one that feels uniquely Christopher Nolan. It’s sincerely hard to imagine any other filmmaker on the planet being able to bring that source material to screen with this much scale, scope and… pic.twitter.com/7jOO5Ch9ZZ
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) July 6, 2026
Christopher Nolan's #TheOdyssey is an absolute triumph and a crowning cinematic achievement from one of the great filmmakers of our time. It feels like everything Nolan has been working toward with IMAX has culminated here. The production design is incredible, the action is… pic.twitter.com/yLxocUEEdn
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) July 6, 2026
Christopher Nolan's #TheOdyssey is flawless filmmaking, every inch as epic as you'd expect. Leading a stellar cast, Matt Damon gives Odysseus everything in a career-best powerhouse performance. Robert Pattinson is outstanding as Antinous and John Leguizamo's Eumaeus is sublime. pic.twitter.com/NDrr95vrnE
— Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) July 6, 2026
Christopher Nolan’s much-anticipated film The Odyssey is set to be released in the UK on July 17. The Independent’s chief film and TV correspondent Jacob Stolworthy shares his thoughts after watching Nolan's adaptation of Homer's epic poem. pic.twitter.com/BqBxdzDOwk
— The Independent (@Independent) July 6, 2026
If early reactions are anything to go by, it seems we're about to witness one of Nolan's best works in his already impressive filmmaking career. People who have seen the movie agree that The Odyssey is filled with many ambitious set pieces that are only elevated by Göransson's score. Additionally, it seems we'll witness a few horror scenes along the way that could tie into Odysseus' conflicts as he defies the gods. The film's story has been universally praised, as well as the performances of its many stars. Better yet, the wait to see Nolan's next film is almost over.
The Odyssey will be released in theaters on July 17, 2026.
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