THE NOLANIAD vs ODYSSEY (2026 vs 20) comaprison with 'original' of 2k
When Nolan Meets Homer and the Bones Rattle
After a week of waiting, I finally managed to find a day to go see the film with my wife. And now, dear readers, I will take you step by step through Christopher Nolan's Odyssey — a film that, if Homer had heard it, I'm certain his bones would be rattling in his grave.
THE OPENING – When Nolan Decides to Become Homer
The film opens with an African-American character striking a rod against the ground, accompanied by Nolan's own text layered over the Odyssey — vaguely reminiscent of the opening of the Iliad. I found this completely misplaced. If Homer were alive, he would have already filed a lawsuit for aesthetic trespassing.
Then we see the Trojan Horse floating in the sea, with Greek soldiers hidden inside the wooden furniture. Here, we're fine — at least the horse had the correct anatomy.
The Greeks open the gates and the rest of the warriors pour in... No comment. Let's move on.
THE ISLANDS – From Polyphemus to the Giants of... Questionable Origin
1. The Cave of Polyphemus
The heroes arrive at the cave of the famous Cyclops. Here there is a notable absence: Nobody. In the older film, this element existed — it was, shall we say, the joke of the whole affair. Here, Polyphemus was more savage as a a beat of no gender and hero from SEA , devouring one of the soldiers right in front of their eyes with his teeth. A bit excessive, but fine — Nolan wanted to show he wasn't messing around.
2. The Island of the Small Giants
Next, they arrive at another island where there were small giants in iron armor. I'm not sure if anything like this existed in Homer — Nolan probably pulled them out of his imagination, as if to say, "Why not? Who's going to remember anyway?"
3. Circe – Witch or Village Woman?
Circe here resembles more of a village woman with magical abilities to transform people into animals, depending on how they treated her. In the older film, this element existed but didn't show the process. Here, Odysseus only realizes what's happening when she kills one of the animals and it transforms back into a human. Interesting moment, but it came a little late.
4. Scylla, Charybdis, and the Sirens – Nothing Special
Compared to Asante's film, Scylla and Charybdis were just... bored. And the Sirens? Less impressive than a bad TV commercial. Nolan simply didn't try hard enough here.
CALYPSO – When You Forget Your Former Life
Throughout the film, we see conversations between Calypso and Odysseus, who recounts his story until, at some point, he forgets his former life. Here we also have the inclusion of the Lotus-Eaters — something that existed in Homer but not in Asante's film. According to Homer and Asante, Hermes forces Calypso to release Odysseus. This never happened here. Calypso simply says "leave" and Odysseus leaves. Just like that. Trhi9s co9uld be the real Helen of the story as Brillant as Naomi in the older
ITHACA – The Old Man Who... Remained Young
In Homer and Asante, Odysseus ages during his return. Here, Matt Damon remains relatively old — over 50 — while in reality Odysseus was supposed to age upon his return. Nolan ignored this element, perhaps because Damon didn't want to age that quickly.
THE BATTLE – Fewer Deaths, More Arrows
The battle after the bow demonstration: in Asante's film, Odysseus killed all the suitors. Here, Odysseus only managed to kill a few, while some wounded him with arrows. Perhaps Nolan wanted to make the film more realistic — or he just got bored killing so many people.
The film closes with a hymn echoing its opening, as if to remind the viewer where it all began. Nolan likely strayed from the mythology and started inserting his own ideas, showing Odysseus engaging in self-criticism about the Greeks' behavior at Troy. As the Bronze Age ends, the Age of Nolan begins.
THE CAST – Laughter, Laughter, and More Laughter
Let's talk about the casting. It was, to put it mildly, laughable.
- Helen: A Black actress with a birthmark on her left cheek. And a stripe on her cheekbone. As if Nolan chose his actors from TikTok.
- The Rest: a handful of Asian and African actors among the remain people — as if Nolan decided to create a multicultural corporation instead of a period epic.
- Zendaya as Athena: A small role, more philosophical, but Zendaya simply... didn't fit. Athena, from what I know, was a redhead. Not that you have to be a redhead, but it helps when the goddess of wisdom has a look that says "I know something you don't." Here, she just looked bored.
The weight of the film falls on Matt Damon (Odysseus), who was genuinely good. He held the film upright, much like Odysseus held his bow. In th same3 level as Assante . to notice daoan in most part fo the movie is quite depressive while Assante is a clearly a more sly but very sharp minded as in the original
Among the supporting roles, Telemachus stood out, along with Anne Hathaway in a forty-something role. Hathaway, at least, managed to project a dignity that was otherwise absent from the rest of the cast. Possibly better then the previous movie
THE VISUAL EFFECTS – a few but are very real like.
The movie is an impressive production, most likelywith effecrs that are very real (but nly a few as in Scylla or the polyphemus)
COMPARISON WITH ASANTE – Who Wins?
Comparison with Asante's film. There, Homer was more faithfully adapted — here, Nolan simply... improvised. And when you improvise on one of humanity's greatest epics, Homer's bones rattle.
THE GRAPHIC FINALE
If Asante were a Laestrygonian, Nolan would still be human!
MY VERDICT – 6/9 as a Performance
Based on Asante's film, this one gets 6/9 as a performance. It's an impressive production, but the deviation from Homer is so significant that it loses its meaning.
It remains a film worth watching — but only if you haven't read Homer. If you have, you'll leave wondering, "Why?"
RATING: 6/10
Matt Damon is excellent. Anne Hathaway is more than decent. Zendaya is just... there. Everyone else is... different. If you enjoy Nolan's films, you'll appreciate it. If you love Homer, you'll leave with a headache.
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