Official Discussion - The Odyssey (2026) [SPOILERS]

[u/LiteraryBoner]

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The Odyssey (2026)

Summary

After the Trojan War, Odysseus faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and Calypso along the way.

Director Christopher Nolan

Writer Christopher Nolan

Cast

• Matt Damon as Odysseus
• Tom Holland as Telemachus
• Anne Hathaway
• Zendaya
• Lupita Nyong'o
• Robert Pattinson
• Charlize Theron
• Benny Safdie
• Jon Bernthal
• John Leguizamo
• Elliot Page
• Himesh Patel
• Samantha Morton

Rotten Tomatoes: 96%

Metacritic: 88

VOD / Release Theatrical release

Trailer Official Trailer

[u/HRJafael]

The pig transformation scene had me squirming in my seat. It was horrific just watching the men being forced to continue eating and not being able to stop with the body horror shots. Circe didn’t fuck around.

Also the way the giant (or Polyphemus) started screaming after having his eye impaled. I’m not sure who designed that scream but it was chilling.

[u/Morgan-Moonscar → u/HRJafael]

who were the giants in the armor?

The Laestrygonians (man-eating giants). I suppose making them armored giants helped to seperate them from the Cyclopses... Cyclopsi

[u/HRJafael → u/Morgan-Moonscar]

I realized after looking back. I really need to reread the book. The one thing I was kind of hoping was seeing Aeolus and the bag of winds but maybe that was too “fantastical”.

[u/Brandon_Me → u/HRJafael]

What's crazy is it's all practical. Samantha Morton was actually doing all that to those men.

[u/GamingTatertot → u/Brandon_Me]

Wow, just give her the Oscar...no seriously give it to her cause she's threatening to turn all the Academy into crows

[u/Able_Advertising_371 → u/Brandon_Me]

it wasnt even in the script, nolan just kept rolling with it

[u/ActivateLife → u/HRJafael]

The giants are Laestrygonians. Man-eating giants that are children of Laestrygon, another son of Poseidon iirc.

[u/jfkwithnojf → u/HRJafael]

My god the eating scene had me squirming as well!! So much suspense

[u/Bird_and_Dog → u/HRJafael]

Was strongly reminded of Spirited Away, which I'm sure took its own inspiration from the Odyssey in the first place.

[u/andreigarfield]

Robert Pattinson plays a conniving, spineless weasel SO WELL

[u/TimRigginsBeer → u/andreigarfield]

He OWNED this part. 

In the climax, yelling at anyone around him to grab the weapons, or shields, while he hid … dude can just act. 

[u/Nervous-Chemistry245 → u/andreigarfield]

very similar character to the role he played in The King...also an awesome movie

[u/TheChlorideThief]

Sometimes you forget this movie is based on a story so old the mentor guy is actually named “Mentor”

[u/damnyoutuesday → u/TheChlorideThief]

That was a "ohhhhh so that's where that comes from" moment

[u/Greizen_bregen → u/damnyoutuesday]

And the term Odyssey comes from... Odysseus.

[u/Spider_Dude → u/Greizen_bregen]

Slow down there professor.

[u/ctan0312 → u/TheChlorideThief]

Lol I thought that during the movie, like “you really just call your mentor Mentor?” And then I realized that’s probably where the term comes from.

[u/leftysarepeople2 → u/ctan0312]

wanna hear what they call long journeys?

[u/PsychologicalTax42 → u/TheChlorideThief]

I laughed at that scene because I imagined Nolan was like you’re all gonna learn something here and you’re gonna like it

[u/BeetsBy_Schrute → u/TheChlorideThief]

Also pretty convenient that The Odyssey happened to a guy named Odysseus

[u/TheBoraxKid]

Unreal young Pattinson casting

[u/A_Toxic_User → u/TheBoraxKid]

Basically Edward Cullen with longer hair haha

[u/Calinks → u/TheBoraxKid]

Yea he had the perfect look

[u/Able_Advertising_371 → u/TheBoraxKid]

sparkling

[u/Ok-Week5658]

the twang of the bow synced up with the music was so freaking good, got me pumped up

[u/Able_Advertising_371 → u/Ok-Week5658]

it was at that moment pattinson knew he was fucked

[u/Brandon_Me → u/Able_Advertising_371]

I love that he as a boy watched Odysseus hunt. So the instant he heard the twang he knew.

And you can see it in his face, just his entire life flashing before his eyes in a second.

[u/sunlitstranger → u/Brandon_Me]

One of the best scenes I’ve ever seen in my life was everyone realizing it was Odysseus, but before anyone else realized it was Pattinson’s character trying to escape and Penelope locking everyone in there bc they both knew. Genuine chills. That whole scene is one of the most hype of all time

[u/Brandon_Me → u/sunlitstranger]

I couldn't agree more.

[u/WoahBenny23 → u/Ok-Week5658]

hearing it in the first act then it coming back in the final fight was sensational

[u/TheAsianToothpik → u/Ok-Week5658]

The music in this movie actually put me into a full body sweat. Not since Fury Road do I think I’ve done that

[u/thesmash → u/Ok-Week5658]

The score for this was incredible. Ludwig is a strong contender to win the Oscar for score.

[u/big_mustache_dad → u/thesmash]

The sirens scene where they put the wax in their ears and it dulls everything was brilliant

[u/rhunter99 → u/thesmash]

There’s a scene where it sounds like ticking and it reminded me of interstellar

[u/derpington1244 → u/Ok-Week5658]

The twang was absolutely incredible, that shit has staying power

[u/Kopitarrulez → u/Ok-Week5658]

Saw this Monday and that last twang with the Hathaway turn around shot fucking stays with you forever.

[u/TheChlorideThief]

“You’re Odysseu-“ *splat*

is an all-timer movie comeuppance

[u/carolinemahtildes → u/TheChlorideThief]

Got a genuine laugh out of me.

[u/ReaddittiddeR → u/TheChlorideThief]

It was awesome, especially right after Ludwig timing the Odyssey theme to Odysseus firing the bow lol.

[u/Purple_Pirate_8507 → u/TheChlorideThief]

My theater applauded at this moment

[u/ray_0586 → u/TheChlorideThief]

The Homeric version of “Jesus Christ, That's Jason Bourne!”

[u/PapaCheech]

That homer guys a pretty good writer I hope he writes another book

[u/WorldsOkayestDad → u/PapaCheech]

I dunno about a sequel but I could sure as heck use a prequel

[u/TheGooseIsLoose37 → u/WorldsOkayestDad]

They'll probably make a sequel years later, written by a different dude. It'll be basically fan fic

[u/haillordprawn → u/PapaCheech]

I'm grateful they kept Sinon's classic line "add some stuff"

[u/ToneBone12345]

Mentor totally recognized the beggar as Odysseus before he died right!

[u/Calvengeance → u/ToneBone12345]

No doubt about it. He remembered that titan.

Port side! Strong side!

[u/reddittothegrave]

“He sacrificed his daughter for favorable winds.”

Fuck.

[u/Mechanicallvlan → u/reddittothegrave]

That's also why Mary Poppins was childless, but they left that out of the films.

[u/mikeyfreshh → u/Mechanicallvlan]

To be fair, it did give her the ability to fly with an umbrella

[u/TheHunterZolomon → u/reddittothegrave]

Having read Agamemnon in high school I knew about that part but damn that portrayal was savage, especially in that full armor that gave him his monstrous presence.

[u/DJFreezyFish → u/TheHunterZolomon]

I was really questioning his look in the promotional stuff, but the armor worked fantastic for the movie.

[u/twavisdegwet → u/reddittothegrave]

Okay but like- hear me out...

it worked....

[u/lucas_3d]

There was a lot of 'haul ass back to the boat!'.

[u/gilbert524 → u/lucas_3d]

Reminded me of Monty python and the holy grail lol. “Run away!”

[u/SeanConneryIsKing → u/lucas_3d]

Yeah that squad was consistently getting wrecked

[u/NewWaysToDream]

He got to say goodbye to his dog. The good boy waited for him with his dying breath.

[u/rolling_cats → u/NewWaysToDream]

That scene with Holland realizing who he was after the tail wag broke me

[u/atomic-fireballs → u/NewWaysToDream]

If it takes forever, I will wait for you....

[u/TimRigginsBeer → u/NewWaysToDream]

The smallest, shortest tail wag in cinema history… but also the most gratifying for the goodest of all good dogs. 

[u/chrisandy007 → u/NewWaysToDream]

That part got me so bad.. especially the tail 😭😭

[u/MoistNugget9130]

Really loved the stereo effect when he put wax in his ear. The left side went out then the right when he put in the other side. The score was also great, lived the now string mixed in with it.

[u/behv → u/MoistNugget9130]

That was such a cool effect. And then we hear the melody of Odessyus' confession to Penelope right there. He said he wanted to go home and avoid the consequences for his actions, but he came to terms with those consequences and felt free to live with it finally when he saw his wife again.

I super appreciate using a musical motif there to tell us the emotions instead of ethereal singing chick siren #417 that's not actually enticing. I can imagine the emotions, so just stick to that instead of trying to create the "make men kill themselves to chase the source" noise.

[u/KalamariKnight]

The thematic angle that hospitality and common understanding between strangers is the foundation of civilization is intensely interesting. Odysseus is the hero of the story, and him getting revenge on Antinous and the suitors for taking advantage of his house's hospitality feels fitting and satisfying.

But the film also holds Odysseus at least partially responsible for the betrayal of those tenets that leads to the Bronze Age collapse because of his idea to use the Trojan Horse. The reveal that the visions of Athena that haunt him are her wearing the face of the priestess he saw slaughtered is a heart-wrenching twist, and the final shot of the horse burning with the line that their tale will be remembered in song but their mistakes forgotten and repeated is sobering and poignant. Nolan really knows how to make the final few seconds of his films hit like a truck in that way.

[u/No_Peach_8579]

“I saw 10 years of rage unleashed in a single night” holy shit what a sequence

[u/Calvengeance → u/No_Peach_8579]

My heart felt so low at that line, knowing what we were about to see.

[u/letterthatnevercame → u/No_Peach_8579]

stunning. the reveal with zendaya's character broke my heart.

[u/ICumCoffee]

Laughed way too hard at Rob Patt’s Antinous just announcing “Shield”, “Swords” whilst hiding behind the pillar. Loved his performance in the movie.

[u/Sheepies123 → u/ICumCoffee]

Ultimate all bark and no bite character haha

[u/GamingTatertot → u/ICumCoffee]

He's so good at playing pathetic sniveling characters.

[u/thesmash → u/ICumCoffee]

Need a montage of him just yelling for people to grab shit for him

[u/GamingTatertot]

Odysseus's monologue of confessing his guilt for his deception and violating Zeus's law was quite emotional and seeing the reason why Athena kept appearing to him in that form was the heartbreaking cherry on top that made me shed a tear

[u/NotAnotherFriday → u/GamingTatertot]

I don’t cry much at films, but the reveal of Athena in the monologue, along with Hathaway’s delivery of “you’re the men on ships?” that they’ve been so scared of, broke my freaking heart.

[u/mikeyfreshh → u/GamingTatertot]

I was really impressed with the way that scene just lays out all of the themes of the movie without ever feeling like it's hitting you over the head with it

[u/TheJoshider10 → u/mikeyfreshh]

In a movie that intentionally avoided too much exposition and explanations that moment could have easily backfired but thankfully it ended up being one of the strongest scenes.

[u/SellingStolenStereos → u/GamingTatertot]

I violated Zeus’s law, now watch me do it again

[u/Libra_Zebra → u/SellingStolenStereos]

In for a penny, in for a pound.

[u/ambivalenteh → u/SellingStolenStereos]

Because he was already damned by breaking it the first time. He was using the tainting of his soul to shield his son and nation at least in this small say from the broader chaos his norm breaking had unleashed.

[u/wumbotwerk → u/GamingTatertot]

Best scene of the film for me. Amazing 3rd act

[u/WoahBenny23 → u/GamingTatertot]

genuinely a beautiful moment and personally i think nolan’s most impactful scene that he’s made so far

(Edit) yes even more then the crowd scene from Oppenheimer

[u/Prophet92 → u/GamingTatertot]

That whole sequence just had me completely glued to the screen

[u/Brandon_Me]

The last scene in Troy was fucking phenomenal.

Hell, every scene in Troy was amazing.

[u/pacmain1 → u/Brandon_Me]

I was sad when the first Troy scene ended thinking that was all they would show. Incredibly glad they showed the battle that ensued along with the emotional impact

[u/Brandon_Me → u/pacmain1]

Honestly it's made so much better for the pause.

Like if it were just one solid scene from the horse to "Athena" being killed it would have been a good scene. But to go through the rest of the Odyssey and have Odysseus finally come to terms with the guilt he feels and pain he's wraught in what was ultimately an incredible confession moment.

Fuck it just hit so hard.

[u/Ok-Range-3306 → u/Brandon_Me]

he had an oppenheimer moment after basically nuking the city

[u/UpsideTurtles → u/Brandon_Me]

The patience of the film in general is absolutely incredible

[u/AliceinTeyvatland → u/Brandon_Me]

The aura of Agamemnon standing and waiting when the gate of Troy opened was unmatched.

I think him being this faceless towering leader throughout the film is a really good choice.

[u/Brandon_Me → u/AliceinTeyvatland]

Yeah, he's an Aura farmer, and he knows it.

[u/behv → u/Brandon_Me]

Farmed too much aura and forgot he got ops too aka don't fuck with your baby momma

[u/Klutch15]

movie didn't feel like 3hrs at all

the scene of Circe turning them into pigs was crazy

[u/chizzmaster → u/Klutch15]

This might have been the first 3 hour movie since the LotR trilogy where I haven't gotten bored at some point during the movie

[u/GillGruntFan53 → u/chizzmaster]

What every scene being a set piece of some kind does to a runtime

[u/KonyYoloSwag]

That cyclops sequence was the stuff of nightmares

Also did I catch a Saturn Devouring His Son reference when he was eating the one soldier?

[u/BeetsBy_Schrute → u/KonyYoloSwag]

That cyclops scream is probably the loudest scene I’ve ever heard in a theater. Deafening

[u/eric2pickens → u/KonyYoloSwag]

I thought the same thing!

[u/Dracoriet → u/KonyYoloSwag]

Thought it might be referencing that too!

[u/OKC2023champs]

I don’t see enough people talking about the Trojan horse scene. The tide coming in, people drowning. Might have been my favorite scene of the film.

[u/sirsotoxo → u/OKC2023champs]

I love how this movie takes from all of Nolan’s ideas throughout his filmography (facing your faith: Tenet, anti-war: Oppenheimer, the power of the desire to reunite with family: Interstellar) and that scene was straight up Dunkirk

[u/NothingButLs]

The scene where Odysseus and Penelope speak through the door really floored me. That moment  made the movie click into place and I think rewatches will be very rewarding knowing Odysseus guilt and regret and struggle from the start.  So many other memorable and amazing sequences. The Cyclopes, Circie, and Troy scenes are all timers. 

[u/brdperson1]

Holy smokes that cyclops scene.

I loved how we see his outline for just a moment before he covers the cave entrance and plunges all of Odysseus’ party into darkness. The sound design was perfect- the silence in the darkness followed by the gargantuan hand plucking screaming soldiers off, his unnatural roars and shouts of pain, his uncomfortably loud and earth shaking foot stomps. Also the reveal of his face being a twisted Picasso like disfigurement rather than a “classic” cyclops design was such a good reveal. Everything about that scene was as eery as it was intense- it seriously felt like Odysseus and his men were a bunch of ants trying to escape a brutal force of nature.

I loved the whole film but that scene alone is movie theater experience I will never forget.

[u/atclubsilencio → u/brdperson1]

I felt bad for him though! He didn’t deserve that. The sounds of him chewing on the one guy (including a chunk of him following down his chin) is vividly playing out in my mind !

Odysseus didn’t need to shoot that second arrow! I liked the one guy asking if they should try reasoning with him and he replies “Yeah, I think we’re past that point..” but he did have a point ! They don’t even try! Dude was just hungry and wanting to sleep.

[u/brdperson1 → u/atclubsilencio]

That’s another thing I found really interesting - the cyclops was almost childlike. He was just herding his sheep, eating, and sleeping. There was no malice in his facial expressions or actions until he was attacked. The big guy literally just curled up in a ball and fell asleep despite all the humans who invaded his lair

[u/A_Toxic_User → u/brdperson1]

It actually felt like Nolan found a real cyclops hanging out somewhere and cast him in the movie

[u/GolpeNarval]

One tiny detail I liked was that Antinous said to Eusmaeus “Does she even know your name?” when questioning his loyalty.

Come the challenge scene, Penelope calls him by his name when giving him the bow

[u/LouisFromTexas]

I LOVED the ominous sound of Odysseus’ bow before he caught prey

[u/plzsnitskyreturn → u/LouisFromTexas]

When the final pluck of the bow hits you know the suitors are absolutely fucked

[u/Threedawg → u/plzsnitskyreturn]

He was being honorable and giving them a fair chance.

[u/fujufilmfanaccount]

Christopher ‘War Is Hell’ Nolan does it again.

[u/PapaCheech]

Gnarliest death goes to the puppy that got hurled off the cliff

[u/msmouse05 → u/PapaCheech]

No, the puppy was fine. There was a friendly boy there catching them to raise them to live long happy lives on a farm nearby.

[u/epaynedds → u/PapaCheech]

I almost spit out my soda when I saw that

[u/PWN3R_RANGER]

John Leguizamo’s expression as Odysseus climbs the steps to Penelope and the throne perfectly encapsulated the theme of “sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded.”

Movie is incredible.

[u/CricketGrl → u/PWN3R_RANGER]

Leguizamo really surprised me with his performance

[u/chakrablocker → u/CricketGrl]

He's always been this good. He just gets type cast

[u/NotTaken-username]

Agamemnon had so much aura every time he was on screen

[u/Cre47 → u/NotTaken-username]

Going into this I was scared how Benny Safdie would look outside of the armor compared to how cool he looks with it. Perfect choice to keep his face hidden every time he’s on screen lol

[u/vicktacular → u/NotTaken-username]

Agamemchad. When the gates to Troy opened there was a moment where it felt like he was wearing the armored bat suit. Looked odd in the trailers but I'm really happy with how it turned out.

[u/NotTaken-username → u/vicktacular]

He reminded me more of Darth Vader than Batman, but I see the comparison there.

[u/GamingTatertot → u/NotTaken-username]

Considering the film does not paint Agammenon as good or righteous, I'd say the Darth Vader comparison is apt

[u/comacove → u/NotTaken-username]

Couldn't help but think of Darth Vader when the gate opened.

[u/EntroperZero → u/NotTaken-username]

That gate opening was definitely a "DAMN" moment.

[u/TheJoshider10 → u/NotTaken-username]

So funny how much internet outrage his armour caused meanwhile the general audience are gonna be in awe at the size of that fucker.

[u/Charliejfg04]

The sound of this movie was something else. The cyclops howling was something I have never heard before in my life

[u/rhunter99 → u/Charliejfg04]

The bass in some scenes shook my seat. It was incredible

[u/KorabasUnchained]

I love the bow and how it shows how smart Odysseus is. It’s not about strength as all the other suitors tried to string the bow with sheer strength but about the willingness to sit, lower oneself, and use leverage. I love how Odysseus tried it the suitors way and then the other way. Such a simple thing symbolizing much.

And I love that Nolan basically explored the themes that he did in Oppenheimer again but better here in my opinion. Guilt, shame, unleashing destruction and horrible change to society. What a beautiful movie. Horrifying too. I’ll never think of Circe the same again, the pig scene had me squirming.

[u/jobening]

Will somebody get these BEGGARS out of here! 🤪

[u/_BallsDeep69_ → u/jobening]

I thought he was so good in this.

[u/Rewriter94]

This is literally the second movie Nolan has made where you think the hero is dead in the end but jk he just ran away with Anne Hathaway.

[u/junkifan → u/Rewriter94]

Third actually. First in Dark Knight Rises, then Interstellar.

[u/blackaddermrbean]

Turning the pillage of Troy into a curse was an interesting choice. Not sure I’ve seen a version of the Odyssey that took the decision of not glorifying it.

[u/Calvengeance → u/blackaddermrbean]

I thought "We're the bronze age collapse" was an amazing way to play it.

[u/Aaragon]

I loved that every time the boys went to a new island to see what was going on and fuck around, it always ended in them running to shore for dear life. Battle hardened Greek heroes running for the hills because their leader holds a (not so petty) grudge against Polyphemus or any other situation they found themselves in.

Odysseus' talk as the beggar to his wife at the end so perfectly reflected the guilt, shame, and failure he had felt for himself all those years. I don't know if I've seen a protagonist unmask all of their flaws to the person they care the most about in such a way that shows how much more of a person they are compared to when his journey started.

Agamemnon was also so intimidating and felt like anytime he was on screen he didn't demand respect he deserved it. Barely seeing his face the entire time added to just how "Above" he was the rest of everyone else and what a "legend" he was by just simply existing. That's the sort of thing I loved about this movie as well. The gods, magic, monsters, and other forces of the world just felt so above the world of men that all they could do is what they did, sing songs and write books about it (and run for the boats).

Pattinson also played Antinous as maybe the most perfect sniveling coward he could have ever been. His lip quivering when he realized he went too far in his talk with Penelope, the color draining from his face when Telemachus returned, it was just so perfect. He had his moments of brilliance that were completely usurped by how much of a rotten coward and wicked man he was.

One of my few 10/10 movies and I am going to go watch it again Saturday. Here's a picture of my cat for sticking around this long

[u/jstn825 → u/Aaragon]

him yelling at everyone else during the final battle while he hides was so funny to me

[u/Aaragon → u/jstn825]

SWORDS. SHIELDS. SPEAAARS!

He got one decent blow in with his dagger which is more than can be said for others. Truly the perfect villain to root against.

[u/E_Blofeld → u/Aaragon]

Pattingson also played Antinous as maybe the most perfect sniveling coward he could have ever been. His lip quivering when he realized he went too far in his talk with Penelope, the color draining from his face when Telemachus returned, it was just so perfect. 

Antinous was a smarmy, Late Bronze Age douchebag and his demise was one of the most satisfying I've seen in many, many years. Pattinson was great.

A shoutout to John Leguizamo and Samantha Morton, too: small(ish) but important roles but both absolutely nailed their performances. All killer, no filler.

Excellent film: it opened last night here in Europe and Nolan did a fantastic job.

[u/captainjjb84 → u/Aaragon]

I love how enormous Agamemnon looks whenever he is on screen

[u/cosmotheassman → u/Aaragon]

Agamemnon was also so intimidating and felt like anytime he was on screen he didn't demand respect he deserved it.

The shot of him as they charged the gates of Troy was so badass. If it were a different movie, I'd imagine it would live on in some memeified version, but this movie has so many other moments to choose from.

[u/jayeddy99]

We finally got the origin story for the TSG Entertainment logo!

[u/big_mustache_dad → u/jayeddy99]

The 2024 Odysseus movie The Return had an even more identical version to that logo. Also has Ralph Fiennes as absolutely YOKED Odysseus slaughtering dudes haha

[u/mikeyfreshh]

This is a movie about a man who uses his smarts to create an unethical device of war that allows him to become a hero but ultimately leads to the complete collapse of polite society, forcing him to spend the remainder of his life reckoning with the consequences of his actions and attempting to put the proverbial toothpaste back in the tube.

Nolan just made Oppenheimer again

[u/pacmain1 → u/mikeyfreshh]

The ending monologue gave me Oppenheimer ending vibes... Also a tinge of the Dark Knight ending.

[u/BBDBVAPA → u/mikeyfreshh]

The reading that Nolan has been making The Odyssey in some way, shape, or form with every movie has been a really fun thread in reviews.

Inception opening on the beach. Bruce Wayne trying to get out of the pit and get home. Cooper trying to get back to Murph after abandoning his family.

But your note is so good. The way his movies are in conversation is so, so interesting. And so good from a retrospective that yes, they seem to be talking to one another. The idea in this film that in some way “this too shall pass”, while in Oppenheimer it almost felt like it can never go back, is so interesting.

[u/GunnyMoJo → u/BBDBVAPA]

Maybe, in some way, every story is just treading the grounds and structures Homer laid out thousands of years ago.

[u/falafelthe3]

Shoutout to the one-scene wonders, seriously. Nolan did something similar with a lot of big-name actors in Oppenheimer - Gary Oldman, Rami Malek, Casey Affleck - and it was awesome to see something similar occur in a more fantastical setting. James Remar making Tiresias feel ancient and otherworldly (reminded me of Kathryn Hunter playing the Witches in Joel Coen's Macbeth), Elliot Page and Benny Safdie literally coming back from the dead to essentially beg others to remember them, Samantha Morton coming in with that fucking horror movie switchup...even Zendaya and Lupita Nyong'o had only a handful of minutes, especially when compared to some of Odysseus's no-names, but there's at least one moment for both of them that perfectly utilizes their skills.

I just love the fact that these actors clearly have a LOT of fun working with Nolan. They wouldn't sign on for so little screentime if it didn't mean getting to get kinda wacky.

[u/Malificari → u/falafelthe3]

The “Athena” twist was so good. The payoff was phenomenal 

[u/username_404_]

The scene where all the dead are talking to Odysseus was so fucking sick probably my favorite moment. Had such a cool eerie vibe to it. Sinon and Agamemnon had such great monologues too. Really had me sitting up in my seat

[u/perfectlysanebrain → u/username_404_]

Tiresias looked like Baron Harkonnen drinking that nasty blood like a freak. I loved how sinister the whole thing was

[u/yoshidawg93]

“You’re Odysseu-“

*dead*

I smiled hard at that lol.

[u/ReaddittiddeR]

Ludwig Göransson timing the Odyssey theme song when Odysseus fires the bow (just after stringing it) in the intense, final act deserves an Oscar by itself lol. That was masterclass.

Apart from past movies where some of Nolan’s audio mix had hard to hear dialogue, this was perfect. The sound of everything from the battles to the ambient noises, especially the Cyclops crying out after being pierced in the eye was haunting as the whole scene itself.

The main cast was great, but for the smaller roles, Elliot Page, John Leguizamo, Samantha Morton, stood out for such little screen time they had. One of the greatest movie going experienced I’ve ever had.

[u/Giff95]

Wanted a Nolan horror movie.

The Cyclops and pig transformation scenes finally gave a taste.

Nolan, please do a straight up horror movie next!

[u/GamingTatertot → u/Giff95]

Pig transformation scene was horrifying on the next level. Props to everyone who worked on that scene and Samantha Morton for a good, albeit too quick, performance as Circe

[u/pacmain1 → u/Giff95]

I saw some headline a while back saying Nolan put a horror sequence in this film and I assumed it was referring to the Cyclops scene...until we got to the Circe scene. Wasn't expecting body horror but it was incredibly well done and disturbing.

[u/Whovian45810 → u/Giff95]

Nolan's interpretation of Circe genuinely caught be my surprise and Samantha Morton did such a beautiful performance.

[u/Llama_Puncher]

Can someone explain the thing between Antonius and Sinon? I got the point of Antonius being a coward but I somehow missed something during the setup when they were pulling from the lottery. Was Antonius meant to go and passed his lot to Sinon, or did he willingly give it up?

[u/legogizmo → u/Llama_Puncher]

Antonius was from a wealthy family and Sinons family was supposed to get paid for having their son take his place.

Turns out Antonius never paid up and Sinons father died pennyless

[u/GoldandBlue → u/legogizmo]

But Antonius totally wanted to go. For serious.

[u/carolinemahtildes → u/Llama_Puncher]

Antonius drew the lot and was supposed to go, but he because he's a coward, he swaps with Sinon. Sinon's father works for Antonius's, so Antonius promises to pay Sinon's family if he accepts the deal, but even though Sinon takes his place, Antonius refuses to pay which is why Sinon hates him so much.

[u/chrisandy007 → u/carolinemahtildes]

Wasn't there some narration or something too about Odysseus trying not to hurt his dad's honor or something?

[u/carolinemahtildes → u/chrisandy007]

Yes, Odyssey lies to Anontius's father because he doesn't want him to know his son is a loser.

[u/pacmain1]

The Cyclops screaming in pain was fucking horrifying.

[u/lonelygagger]

I would have stayed with Charlize Theron on that island. Give me them lotus flowers.

[u/taurus26 → u/lonelygagger]

Try to remember...nope! I'm staying on this island.

[u/damnyoutuesday]

I just want to congratulate Ludwig Goransson on his 4th Oscar

[u/GamingTatertot → u/damnyoutuesday]

If the man goes 4/4 that would be incredible

[u/Sheepies123]

The scene where the Laestrygonians (big armored dudes) attack Odysseus and his crew was so amazing. The way its shot to make it seems like the trees were moving and trapping the soldiers is just so eerie and frightening I loved it.

[u/doinkin_donuts → u/Sheepies123]

Wait, the trees were actually moving though right? I thought that was part of the magic of that place or the giants knew how to control them somehow

Unless i was hallucinating, the stumps of the trees were definitely moving through the ground

[u/DontBeAngryBeHappy]

Travis Scott the first character you see on screen in probably Chris Nolan’s Magnum Opus is the most hilarious thing.

[u/MeadKingofRuddyHall]

I loved that we never truly saw Agamemnon talk beyond a few words or be without his helmet up till his ending. Just spent every scene straight auramaxxing in his armor. The scene of him standing alone as the gates open was amazing.

[u/Calvengeance → u/MeadKingofRuddyHall]

I loved that, and dropping the lantern revealing the soldiers was brilliant.

[u/_BallsDeep69_ → u/MeadKingofRuddyHall]

What a bro too telling Odysseus to lay low and assess the situation before he comes home.

[u/ButchAF]

What a fucking movie. Almost started bawling when the dog was able to finally rest.

[u/megain → u/ButchAF]

I cried when the tail wagged for the last time. And cried harder when Telemachus realized it was his dad because of the dog who was waiting for his master to come home before he died.

[u/ctan0312 → u/ButchAF]

I forgot about that cause so much happened at the end but yeah that was so well done. The entire time the dog was hanging on to life waiting for its master to return, and the moment he returns, the dog passes.

[u/Docrx11 → u/ButchAF]

Oh I did cry...like a baby!!! Lol

[u/BloatedGlobe]

I wonder how well the general audience knows the sea people, and how they often get blamed for Late Bronze Age Collapse. I know history nerds know them, but the movie ties the Achaeans violation of Zeus' law to the fall of civilization.

[u/So_Quiet → u/BloatedGlobe]

This is helpful. The sea people were a total blind spot for me and I was wondering what their significance was supposed to be.

[u/Chinese_gurl11]

Like I said in another post I LOVED Robert Pattinson in it. He’s so good at playing a vilain! When he died the audience started clapping their hands.

[u/configurethepup]

Polyphemus doing Saturn eating his son was awesome.

I don't know if it's because I didn't watch it in IMAX or I'm incredibly unobservant but I swear they make a big deal about Odysseus wearing the pin and I never spot him wearing it. Unless that's supposed to be an unreliable narrator thing where he tells Penelope he wears it but he's just holding it in his pocket the whole time? I might rewatch, does anyone know if there are specific scenes where it's visible or where he wears it?

[u/TwoJay0]

Him saying “weve followed Agamemnon quite enough” and not taking the known route makes so much more sense after seeing how guilty he felt at Troy

[u/cursdwitknowledge]

I thought leguizamo was a highlight of the film and I will be surprised if he’s not blessed with a supporting Oscar. That role felt like Michael Canes Alfred. Who also got snubbed.

[u/heyitsmejosh]

I liked how Matt Damon turned into an ancient Greek John Wick after his dog died.

[u/ray_0586]

Odysseus not being able to decipher what the Cyclops was saying was an incredibly Meta moment for a Nolan film.

[u/carolinemahtildes]

There were a couple moments early on where I found myself wondering, "how much do I like this," and I did have some issues with the pacing, but I think it gets stronger as it goes on and by the end I was already looking at showtimes to see when I could see it again.

He's probably going to get zero attention for this because he's not one of the bigger names but Himesh Patel is absolutely fantastic in this. I also found myself wishing for more Benny Safdie (though I know that wouldn't make sense with the story).

Odysseus's speech to Penelope about what happened in Troy and the realization of the form Athena took made me cry, I thought that entire sequence was so well done.

[u/glennghoul → u/carolinemahtildes]

I had the same experience. The first half+ was like “it’s good, I’m enjoying it… but…?” then it was like a switch was flipped and I just sat in stunned awe.

[u/IAMLukeBailey]

I thought the central theme of the movie (at least the one that I took away) was pretty poignant. Society and civilization are built on a series of spoken and unspoken rules and laws that govern us. But these rules and laws are more fragile than most of us realize. By hiding his men inside the Trojan horse and claiming it was an offering to the gods, he threw all of the goodwill the people had for each other away. Everyone realized the supposed rules of the gods they followed could be broken, and there would be no perceived consequences. (Although the consequences certainly came, albeit seemingly from the divine.) This emboldens people like Robert Pattinson’s character to start sinking to lower rungs of depravity. And ultimately, it seems to be the beginning of the end of their empire/civilization. It certainly reminded me a lot of what had been happening in the last decade with Trump breaking all the laws/rules of US politics. He’s seemingly getting away with it… but at what cost?

[u/FrenziedAce]

Did anyone think it was an interesting choice to not have the audience hear the Sirens?

It’s like our ears were filled with wax too, and we could only infer from Odysseus’ explanation and the crew’s reactions.

[u/IntotheBeniverse → u/FrenziedAce]

I actually think it made that scene so much more effective.

[u/ebelnap → u/IntotheBeniverse]

There's nothing we could hear that could "live up to the hype".

The best way to envision it is that it speaks to each person individually, and so each person's song would be different, which we wouldn't be able to convey in a movie like that.

[u/ThingTime9876]

Circe was not fucking around, holy shit

[u/jobening]

“You’re Odysseus” 🏹💀

[u/ICumCoffee]

So many breathtaking moments in the movie, Zeus’ punishment in the sea and Circe’s turning Odysseus’ men into pigs were my favourite. I was on the edge of my seat during those. Can’t help but notice the parallel to Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Both won the war but afterwards, they question the methods and means by which they won it. Oppenheimer building an atomic bomb and changing the world forever & Odysseus’ betrayal and breaking Zeus’ law, destroying and changing the society forever, absolutely loved that. Outstanding movie. Also 10/10 for sound design and Ludwig’s score, watched it in 70MM IMAX and the whole movie was just fucking immersive.

[u/Criss_72 → u/ICumCoffee]

I was in AWE during Zeus’ Punishment. The lightning was like a strobe on the IMAX screen. I was completely engrossed in the scene and terrified for Odysseus and his crew.

[u/cosmotheassman → u/ICumCoffee]

The Cyclops noise was so good and unsettling. I've had a hard time with sound in Nolan films but this one was good. I've seen complaints online though, so I don't know if it's a theater by theater thing?

[u/Lemonjello23]

Thank you Odysseus for avenging the Doggies

[u/PowerHour1990]

No one does, “Duty-bound person of renown realizes, ‘Holy shit, what have I done?” better than Nolan.

[u/Meph616]

Holy shit Polyphemus (cyclops). That was incredible. And yet still not as brutal as Circe shoving her hand into the crews' faces and yanking on their jaw bones to morph them while all of them helplessly keep eating like maniacs. I was not expecting that! That whole sequence was nightmare fuel. A more chilling transformation scene than in 99% of all werewolf movies.

Suitors maliciously & forcefully spending years feasting through their hosts' food/wine. Odysseus and his men raping and pillaging villages, sacking Troy and all the innocent. The movie is not subtle about, among other things, the breaking and or abusing of the social contract. "Zeus' Law" gets brought up a bunch. And as a result Penelope/Odysseus/etc. say the world is falling apart. I know how you feel, brother. Especially after this last decade.

Also, the only "controversy" I have with this movie is the lack of subtitles.

[u/hops_and_nugs]

John leguizamo asking if he won at the end def got the biggest laugh in the theater.

[u/Netwinn]

Shout out to the GOAT, John Leguizamo, who acted his ass off with that poor old pup. The dog finally seeing Odysseus again then dying a happy good-boy broke the dog owner in me.

[u/Rgb002]

Agamemnon being this giant brutal intimidating force was amazing and then to show his fate in Hades and how small he was in death after his armor was removed. Just amazing

[u/TheGooseIsLoose37]

Man I love the Trojan horse scene. I've never seen it depicted to horribly. Trapped in wooden horse on the beach for days, men at the bottom drowning as the tide came in, the people at the top pissing and shitting on those at the bottom, desperately trying to stay quiet and hidden the whole time. It looked like a nightmare.