Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has earned near universal acclaim from critics, with many calling it a masterpiece and a frontrunner for next year's Best Picture Oscar. The $250m Imax blockbuster adaptation of Homer's epic poem is being hailed as one of the director's best works, thrilling audiences with its ambition and scale.
What Critics Are Saying About The Odyssey
The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw awarded the film five stars, calling it a film "with thrilling ambition, boldness, seriousness, generosity and flair." He noted that even the broad-brush moments in dialogue are applied with a muscular flourish. The Independent's Clarisse Loughrey declared it "Nolan's best work to date" and said it "deserves to be the film that defines him."
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The Telegraph's Robbie Collin described the film as "a strange, fearsome and trailblazing machine of a movie – by some distance, the best of the year so far." The Times's Kevin Maher called it "a masterpiece in every way," adding that there is a palpable yearning for primal storytelling and that Nolan has delivered the artwork audiences need.
A Transporting Affirmation of Cinema
New York Times critic Manohla Dargis said she could discern Nolan's passion for cinema "in every frame of his monumental adaptation," calling it "one of the most Nolan of Nolan spectacles." She praised its thematic concerns, formal playfulness, kinetic thrills, and unabashed showmanship. "Nolan asks us to dream bigger," she wrote. "His Odyssey is a classic in every sense."
Variety's chief critic Guy Lodge was almost entirely enthusiastic, writing that The Odyssey is "a genuinely grand, gutsy vision" that thrills generously for the bulk of its near three-hour running time. He noted that every few minutes, the film throws at its audience another mighty set piece that would be a climactic standout in almost any other summer studio spectacle.
How The Odyssey Compares to Nolan's Previous Films
| Film | Rotten Tomatoes Score | Key Praise |
|---|---|---|
| The Odyssey (2025) | 98% (early) | "Masterpiece," "Best of the year" |
| Oppenheimer (2023) | 93% | "Brilliant," "Award-winning" |
| Inception (2010) | 87% | "Mind-bending," "Innovative" |
| Interstellar (2014) | 86% | "Emotional," "Epic" |
Key Takeaways from The Odyssey Reviews
- Near universal acclaim with five-star ratings from major critics
- Described as Nolan's best work to date by multiple reviewers
- A frontrunner for Best Picture at the next Oscars
- Features mighty set pieces that rival any summer blockbuster
- A transporting affirmation of the art of cinema
FAQ
What is The Odyssey about?
The Odyssey is Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Homer's epic poem, following the hero Odysseus on his perilous journey home after the Trojan War. The film is a $250m Imax spectacle.
Is The Odyssey getting good reviews?
Yes, The Odyssey is earning near universal acclaim from critics, with many calling it a masterpiece and Nolan's best work to date. It has received multiple five-star reviews.
Will The Odyssey win an Oscar?
The film is considered a frontrunner for Best Picture at the next Academy Awards, with critics praising its ambition, scale, and cinematic excellence.
How long is The Odyssey movie?
The Odyssey has a near three-hour running time, packed with mighty set pieces and grandiose movie-movie pleasures.
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