Critics are sounding the alarm that Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey is a visual masterpiece. They also lauded the cast’s performances, namely Matt Damon and Robert Pattinson.
Looks like Christopher Nolan did it again! Critics who got the chance to see early screenings of the Oscar-winning director’s latest feature, The Odyssey, are unanimously singing its praises. Some describe it as “astonishing,” “flawless,” and “breathtaking,” while others have gone so far as to proclaim that it’s an “absolute triumph.”
Following its world premiere in London on July 6, 2026, the film officially debuted in cinemas on July 17. While critics’ full reviews remained under embargo ahead of its theatrical release, many film pundits took to social media to praise the movie, fueling excitement among audiences before it hit the big screen.
What Critics are Already Saying
Next Big Picture editor-in-chief Matt Neglia was one of the most enthusiastic about the film. On X, he describes Nolan’s adaptation as “epic as movies get,” highlighting the “breathtaking” set pieces and the “staggering technical feat” of using new IMAX cameras to capture “the sprawling yet intimate story of one man’s journey to return home.”
DiscussingFilm‘s Jacob Fisher equally lauded the epic set pieces, too, but also noted how Nolan “leans into horror in such a cool way.” And Steven Weintraub, editor-in-chief of Collider.com, admits that he’s already seen the film twice and says that it gets better the second time around. He even recommends seeing it in IMAX 70mm for a “jaw-dropping experience.“
The A-List Cast Shines
A majority of these early reviews also praised the cast, with many stating that the actors gave some of the best performances of their careers. Variety editor Jazz Tangcay led the charge in her X review, describing most of the performances as “genuinely grand.”
Critic Simon Thompson highlighted Matt Damon, who plays Odysseus, and said that the lead actor gave a “career-best powerhouse performance.” And Erik Davis, movie and TV correspondent at Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes, argued that Robert Pattinson stole the show.
He shared:
He’s so conniving, manipulative, and endlessly entertaining to watch.
The Press Tour Hype Machine
The hype for the film amps up even more as the all-star cast goes on their international press tour. The world premiere took place in London, but the cast has already appeared in Paris and will make further stops in Mumbai, New York City, Beijing, and Seoul. As expected, the female stars made it into a fashionable social media frenzy, with Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, and a very pregnant Anne Hathaway turning out amazing, already-iconic looks.
One of the most viral was Zendaya’s Schiaparelli look, which lit up beneath the bust. The dress made its first appearance on the brand’s fall 2026 haute couture show in Paris, which took place literally the day before, and yet the piece made it to the London premiere with little to no trouble at all.
How will The Odyssey Fare at the Oscars?
Even before the public has seen it, critics and pundits are already crowning Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey as a potential Oscar contender. Indiewire‘s Anne Thompson confidently proclaimed it as a future Best Picture nominee, while also predicting that Damon will likely get a Best Actor nod.
Considering Nolan’s legendary Best Picture and Best Director wins, not to mention Cillian Murphy’s Best Actor victory, at the 96th Academy Awards in 2024 with Oppenheimer, it’s not far-fetched to expect a similar, possibly even better feat at next year’s ceremony.
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey premiered in theaters on July 17, 2026. The movie stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, John Leguizamo, and Mia Goth. Shot entirely with IMAX film cameras, it’s already said to be a stunning adaptation of Homer’s epic poem.
Sources: Universal Studios Official YouTube Channel, Vogue Magazine Official Instagram Page, Getty Images
