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The first reactions to Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey are wildly positive ahead of release

People are calling it a 'staggering achievement'

Hebe Hancock
8th July 2026, 14:54
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Christopher Nolan’s long-awaited take on Homer’s The Odyssey has finally been shown to audiences, and the first reactions suggest it could be one of the biggest films of the year.

Via Universal

The three-hour epic had its world premiere in London on Monday night, with critics at the event and early screenings in the US sharing their thoughts on Nolan’s ambitious adaptation of the ancient Greek poem.

Collider’s Peri Nemiroff described the film as “a filmmaking feast”, praising Nolan’s ability to bring such a huge story to life on screen.

“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 heart.”

Via Universal

Discussing Film‘s Andrew J. Salazar called the movie a “staggering achievement”, while IndieWire’s David Ehrlich said that although there are moments where the film feels slightly clunky, “the last act rewards the journey”.

Variety’s Jazz Tangcay was similarly impressed, describing The Odyssey as an “astonishing achievement” and a “triumphant, spectacular epic”.

With Nolan taking on one of the most famous stories in literary history, expectations for The Odyssey have been sky-high. But if the first reactions are anything to go by, the director’s latest blockbuster could be another major cinematic moment.

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Featured image credit: Netflix