NEWS

Based on Homer's ancient Greek poem of the same name, “The Odyssey” (2026) follows Odysseus, warrior of The Trojan War and King of Ithaca, played by Matt Damon. “The Odyssey” tells not only the story of Odysseus’s journey home after the war but also recounts his time during the war. Odysseus faces many obstacles on his way home, and Christopher Nolan’s efforts to reveal these struggles in many harsh environments pay off. Audiences will easily be captivated by the natural beauty of these places alone. Matt Damon as Odysseus gives a stellar performance, providing a stabilizing force to the epic tale.

The tale not only focuses on Odysseus’s journey home, but also on that of his family and the difficulties faced at home, especially by his wife and son. Other suitors have invaded Odysseus’s home and attempt to court his wife to take Odysseus’s place. Robert Pattinson as Antinous truly shows his manipulative side. Anne Hathaway as Odysseus’s wife Penelope reveals the struggle of a woman having to maintain her home and position. The spotlight, though, really shines on Tom Holland as Telemachus, Odysseus’s son. In the face of his father's absence and the invasion of the suitors, Telemachus is desperate to prove himself worthy of being his father's successor. Holland easily provides an incredibly emotional and captivating performance as the prince of Ithaca.

Despite the abundance of battle themes and mythical elements, “The Odyssey” can at times be surprisingly slow-paced. Much of the film is centered around character development, with most of Odysseus' story being told in flashbacks as he tries to recall what happened. Though not what audiences may be expecting, this deliberate pace does significantly benefit the movie.

A captivating film, “The Odyssey” (2026) combines extraordinary visuals with compelling characters to create an adaptation of Homer's poem that is well worth the price of admission.

8/10

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