“The Odyssey” is directed by Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight, Oppenheimer) and stars Matt Damon (Saving Private Ryan, The Martian), Tom Holland (Spider-Man: Homecoming, Cherry), Zendaya (Spider-Man: Homecoming, Challengers), Anne Hathaway (Interstellar, The Intern), Robert Pattinson (The Batman, Tenet), Lupita Nyong’o (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Wild Robot), Samantha Morton (The Walking Dead, Elizabeth: The Golden Age) and Charlize Theron (A Million Ways to Die in the West, Atomic Blonde). This film is based on Homer’s epic poem of the same name and follows Odysseus as he makes a dangerous journey back home to Ithaca to reunite with his wife, Penelope (Hathaway).

Well… It is finally here. The movie that may as well be my most anticipated of the year, perhaps even of the decade. 

“The Odyssey” is more than a movie. It is a story that follows an epic that has been around for several thousand years. Despite being an old story, there is a sense of innovation being brought to the table with this film. During my time in high school, “The Odyssey,” or at least adaptations of it, happened to be assigned to me as required reading in English class. I enjoyed getting to know about the story of Odysseus. It was a grand adventure tale that sparked the imagination. While I cannot say that it prompted a fascination with Greek myth in the way it may have with other readers, I found the material to make for a good read.

I even thought “The Odyssey” could make for a decent flick. Granted, the story is old, so there are, unsurprisingly, screen adaptations of it already. But I thought perhaps, unfairly, this would be a decent film from the likes of Peter Jackson, who is a master of sword and sandal cinema. Little did I know that my all time favorite director would one day be stepping in to handle this highly celebrated story.

Christopher Nolan is responsible for some of my favorite films ever, including 2014’s “Interstellar,” which came up in a conversation recently with family. My uncle asked me if I thought this new movie could surpass “Interstellar” in terms of quality. My response at the time, “It’s possible…” Having now seen “The Odyssey,” this did not surpass the quality “Interstellar,” but it finds a way to nearly match that cinematic masterpiece’s high bar. “The Odyssey” is gargantuan in every way. In fact, that is one of the reasons why I found “Interstellar” to have such tremendous replay value. It is a movie that feels larger than life. “The Odyssey” goes by the same philosophy. It is a story that emits endless verisimilitude.

Every frame of this movie, despite being part of a mythical epic, felt real. I believed in the film’s world. Its environment. Its characters. Its sets. If you are looking for peak immersion, this is the movie for you, regardless of what format in which you see it. I kid you not when I say every shot looks beautiful. Just about everything on screen was done for real, in camera. Nolan is a master of practicality. I genuinely could not believe what I was looking at during certain moments. Everything from the various interiors that fill your vision to a Cyclops that made my jaw drop to a crucial night scene in the water that showcases the wrath of a storm.

Given how much I love this movie, and believe me, I love this movie, I think it is arguably fair that I get into my flaws early on in the review. The biggest flaw I have in this film is the lighting. I have seen this movie three times, and the lighting is by no means atrocious overall, but there is a scene or two where I think it could have been pinched up a little. During my first viewing, I do not know if it is more of a fault of the projector than anything else, but it was somewhat hard to pick up all the details in several frames during the Cyclops scene. It is a dark cave, and as immersed as I was in the movie, one could debate that I was too immersed. I think the frames could have been brighter to better highlight essential information. Some of the dialogue is borderline cheesy and out of place, but we are talking bits and pieces. For the most part, I do not have a problem with the writing, but the problems I do have may as well be addressed.

And yes, I made sure as a die-hard IMAX fanatic, that my first viewing of this movie would be in 15/70mm film. I bought my ticket a year ago, as soon as they went on sale, dedicating myself so heavily to this film and its technical glory by buying a ticket in a completely different part of the country from where I live. For the record, I live in Massachusetts. New England forever! I bought a ticket to see this film in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I am the last person who wants to spend time in Florida in July. I remember walking around Disney World in June when I was 18 years old… I am shocked I did not melt in the middle of Tomorrowland. My trip to see this movie, or my odyssey rather, was worth it despite my apprehensions, and eventually finding out that a theater in Providence, Rhode Island would also be getting the movie in the premium format. Not only is this a great movie, but it is one that I urge everyone reading this to watch in a theater at least once.

When I look back at Nolan’s last movie, “Oppenheimer,” I was amazed by the use of IMAX film in that project. It was most certainly worth the extra money for the IMAX experience. But I will not deny that of all the projects in which Nolan used IMAX to shoot it, “Oppenheimer” might have been the one of the bunch that was not as essential to view on an IMAX screen. This is not a diss. If “Oppenheimer” is playing in an IMAX near you, go check it out. You’d be doing yourself a favor. The trinity test and the black and white scenes are cool to see on a giant screen. That said, I think if you were to view “Oppenheimer” on a traditional cinema screen, you will not miss a whole ton, even if the aspect ratio suggests otherwise. On the other hand, “The Odyssey,” while excellent on any screen, becomes an event when bringing the IMAX experience into play. I have been to many IMAX experiences. This has to easily be a top 5 IMAX experience of all time. “The Odyssey” in IMAX is better than sex. “The Odyssey” in IMAX is better than winning the lottery. Once that IMAX logo flashes on the screen, get ready for 172 minutes of some of the most amazing cinema of your life. Not just because every frame fills the screen, showcasing some of the best imagery of any movie I have seen this decade courtesy of Hoyte van Hoytema’s brilliant camerawork, but because the movie is just that good.

Also, this review is being published after three viewings of the film, the last of which included a four-minute preview of “Dune: Part Three,” which is exclusive to IMAX 70mm screenings. My friends, YOU ARE NOT READY. Anyway, I digress. I just figured I should add that in as a bonus incentive.

The story may be simple and not every character has significant depth, but the movie does a great job at handling Odysseus (Matt Damon) as the center of the story. Damon’s struggle here is that he just wants to get home. He finished fighting in the Trojan War, he is surrounded by his men, and together, they work to overcome the various obstacles that stand in their path. Everything from a Cyclops to Laestrygonians to Sirens. The movie does a great job in its less action-packed moments, of which there are plenty, of showcasing Odysseus’ personal connections to his beliefs, his love, and his family.

Speaking of which, Anne Hathaway plays Penelope in what is her third Christopher Nolan movie. This is her best performance of the three. Hathaway constantly has to deal with the struggle that her husband is gone, and the dilemma as to whether he is gone gone. Meanwhile, tons of suitors are vying for her hand in marriage, thus making them king of Ithaca.

As this is going on, we see Tom Holland as Telemachus watching all of this from the sidelines, believing that “his dad is coming home.” Yes, weird line. There is one of those questionable dialogue choices. But even with some odd dialogue here and there, Tom Holland handles every line given to him with brilliance. This is one of the best performances of his career so far. Holland’s essential presence towards the end of the film is a highlight. That said, if I have one thing to say, of all the actors in the cast, Holland is perhaps the least disguisable. There are a lot of recognizable stars in this ensemble, and if I had to pick a weak link of the performances, Holland may be it. That is not to say he is doing a bad job with his role. But his transformation is not as noticeable as others in the cast. Even with what I just said in mind, if the Academy were to nominate him for his efforts, I would understand it. He is tremendous.

I am not kidding when I say this movie is full of recognizable stars. This feels like the “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” of movie casts. Everyone is here. Zendaya. Charize Theron. Jon Bernthal. Robert Pattinson. John Leguizamo. Elliot Page. Lupita Nyong’o. Even Travis Scott. Much like one of Nolan’s previous projects, “Tenet,” Scott made an original song for this film.

Sadly, there is no Michael Caine. I cannot blame him though. He says he is getting old, and I respect his choice to stay out of this project.

Although if I had to name a favorite secondary character in this film, it is not Telemachus. It is not Athena. It is not Menelaus. It is the score.

It is so great to acknowledge the extraordinary talents of Ludwig Göransson, especially after watching “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” which I not only found to be his worst work yet, but the first time I recall watching a “Star Wars” project and being turned off by the music. This is Göransson’s third project with Christopher Nolan, and like a certain song suggests, three is indeed the magic number. I thought Göransson’s earliest collaboration with Nolan through “Tenet” was already a contender for the best score of the decade. This might beat that. The score almost serves as a hint of irony, especially when considering how this movie was entirely shot on a format as huge as IMAX. Compared to some of Nolan’s other works, the music is not that complicated. There is no huge, sweeping orchestra. Though much like “Tenet,” there is a lot of percussion. There are several scenes in which the tunes stand out, including one that dives into some background about the Trojan Horse. There is a particular beat that repeats, but every other second that beat increases speed. It is almost like a track you would put in a trailer for a horror movie. Another piece I love is a particular tune that sounds off every time Odysseus readies his bow. It is almost like his superhero theme. When you hear a specific set of four notes towards the final 10 minutes of the movie, they mean business.

I do not approve of filming in movie theaters while the film is playing. No, seriously. Stop it. This has gotten out of control. But I did see a video online where the four note leitmotif plays in the final 10 minutes and the audience just starts losing their minds like they are at a concert. Having seen this exact moment, I get why.

While there is still debate as to whether “The Odyssey” is the year’s best film so far, I am more than certain I witnessed my favorite climax so far this year. Having been exposed to “The Odyssey” in high school, I was familiar with some of what was about to go down, but even with beforehand knowledge, the final 20, 30 minutes of the film were unbelievably satisfying and come after an entire movie whose buildup is immaculate. There is a scene towards the end where Odysseus narrates about something that happened during the war, and just when I thought his words were powerful enough, the visuals were just as emotionally charged. The final ten minutes deliver a well put together action scene that had me glued to the screen. “The Odyssey” is a several thousand-year-old text, so I have no idea if how much I would be spoiling here, but holy heck… Parts of this ending may leave you with all kinds of chills.

And of course, those chills are best experienced in IMAX… For more reasons than one.

IMAX screenings for this movie, whether they are in 70mm, dual-laser, XT laser, or even 2K digital, are selling like there’s no tomorrow. I have an IMAX 10 minutes from home. And it is not part of a multiplex. It is a proper, 8 story IMAX. Trying to get a ticket there is harder than solving a Rubik’s Cube! But if you can see this film in IMAX at least once, consider yourself blessed. For one thing, this is the first Hollywood feature shot entirely on IMAX film. There have been movies shot entirely on IMAX cameras, like “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame,” but those were shot digitally, and in lower resolutions. As for IMAX film in Hollywood cinema, Christopher Nolan has always been at the forefront when it comes to utilizing the technology ever since his first go with it in “The Dark Knight.” The results are always a feast for the eyes and allow the movie to reach full immersion. But never did I think we would see an IMAX movie entirely shot with the company’s film cameras. Leave it to Sir Nolan to prove me wrong, and put a gigantic grin on my face. This is something I have been dying to see for a good chunk of my life, if I could not make it happen myself. I have been obsessed with the IMAX film format since my early teens. I am happy to know Nolan has done everything in his power to keep it going.

One surprise I discovered in this film is that I was just about able to make out each line of dialogue given by the characters. As much as I enjoyed “Tenet,” I thought the sound mixing in that film was sometimes a failure. There is one scene in that movie that takes place on the water where subtitles are essentially required to understand everything that is being said. Not here. Nolan seems to understand this problem. On top of making new IMAX cameras, one thing that was made specifically for this production was a blimp that would cover the IMAX camera while it was in use. This was to solve issues related to background noise, including how much noise the camera itself makes. Yet the same time, having such a big blimp creates its own problems. On top of making the cameras themselves heavier to lug around during certain scenes, it can make it harder for the actors to see each other. So, a mirror system was built that way the actors could maintain eye contact. Despite the source material being old, “The Odyssey” feels like a generational product that is not only fun to watch, but brings new tricks to the table when it comes to filmmaking.

It is hard to tell if “The Odyssey” is going to be a one time thing, or if we are going to see more movies shot on IMAX film from start to finish. In fact, where does Nolan go from here? Nolan is at the center of implementing IMAX into Hollywood cinema, but in a way, this feels like the ultimate goal. It is his equivalent to climbing Mount Everest. He has not shot anything on IMAX 3D cameras. I do not think he is a fan of 3D, but that has to be the next step, right?

Do not get me wrong, any theatre is worth the price of admission for “The Odyssey.” IMAX… LIEMAX… NO-MAX… But I stand here saying that I do not think there is a single film in history that has been worth the price of admission for IMAX more than “The Odyssey.” This film is big, loud, clear, and most importantly, an excellent time regardless of the technical aspects.

In the end, “The Odyssey” is my favorite Christopher Nolan movie since “Interstellar.” There are movies, there are epics, and then there is Christopher Nolan’s latest masterpiece. Going back to “Interstellar,” which I have seen 5 times in theaters ranging from 2014 to 2025, “The Odyssey” is likely going to get at least three viewings from yours truly during its initial theatrical run. For awhile I was thinking that “Project Hail Mary” had a straight shot at being my favorite film of the year. I am not saying I like “The Odyssey” more, but if there was a runner-up right now for my top movies list of 2026, this is it. “The Odyssey” is the cinematic form at its absolute peak. This movie has already made more than a billion dollars at the box office, it is a hit with critics and audiences, and I can see why. The entire cast is on their A-game. The score is stupendous. The techniques that went into the making of this film look incredible in the finished product, and those are just the ones that you can see for yourself. I do have some slight nitpicks with the lighting, but they do not take much away from what is an excellent time at the movies. I am ecstatic to know that premium and IMAX screens are selling out for this film, even about a month after its release. If there is one movie you should see on the big screen this year, it is “The Odyssey.” I was talking to cousins recently and they said they might wait for streaming to watch “The Odyssey” as it is not their type of movie. I get that completely, but I think if you wait for streaming to watch “The Odyssey,” you are going to be doing yourself a massive disservice. If everything I just said has not yet convinced you to buy a ticket for “The Odyssey,” then maybe my score will, because I am going to give the film a 9/10.

As far as I am concerned, this film’s legacy is not going to fizzle anytime soon. I studied “The Odyssey” in high school, and if that continues to be a part of students’ required material, I am going to be so jealous. Nolan’s film is rated R, so we shall see if students, particularly those in certain years of high school or below, will be able to watch it in class, but if they are given permission, they are going to be introduced to one of the finest masterpieces of cinema ever created with a crowd of their peers. Frankly, if I were in an English class, and I got to watch “The Odyssey” as a required assignment, I would probably kiss my teacher on the mouth. Please go see this movie. You will thank me later.

“The Odyssey” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! If you have not done so already, check out my latest episode of Movie Requests featuring Elijah Wood, Frodo from “Lord of the Rings” himself! In the video, he requested I should watch “Festen,” or “The Celebration” as it is known in English. To find out what I thought of the movie, click the video above! If you enjoy the video, please leave a like and subscribe to my YouTube channel!

Also, I will let everyone know that my next guest in the series is going to be Amy Sedaris! You may know Sedaris from films like “Elf,” “Is This Thing On,” “Jennifer’s Body,” and “Puss in Boots.” You can also find her on television shows like “Strangers with Candy,” “The Mandalorian,” “At Home with Amy Sedaris,” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” She has quite the prolific resume! Work has already started on her episode, I will have more details soon, but look forward to it. It is gonna be a good one.

My next review is going to be for “Her Private Hell!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Haunted Heist,” “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” “I Want Your Sex,” “The Invite,” and “Cookie Queens.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “The Odyssey?” What did you think about it? Or, what is the greatest movie theater experience you ever had? And I am not just talking about the quality of the movie… What is a cinema experience that checked every box for you? The film looked great, sounded fantastic, and truly felt like a once in a lifetime event? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!