Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' Just Had Its World Premiere — And Critics Are Already Losing Their Minds

Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' Just Had Its World Premiere — And Critics Are Already Losing Their Minds

The wait is basically over. Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey — his first film since the Oscar-sweeping Oppenheimer — just had its world premiere in London, and the early reactions are flooding in. If you've been holding your breath to find out whether Nolan pulled off adapting one of the most famous stories ever told, well… exhale. The internet is going wild.

Shot entirely on IMAX cameras and clocking in at a whopping 2 hours and 52 minutes, The Odyssey is rated R and hits theaters worldwide on July 17. Universal Pictures is betting big on this one, and based on what critics are saying so far, that bet is paying off.

A Cast That Reads Like a Hollywood Wish List

Let's talk about the insane ensemble Nolan assembled for this. Matt Damon leads as Odysseus, the Greek king trying to survive his treacherous journey home after the Trojan War. Anne Hathaway plays his wife Penelope, while Tom Holland steps into the role of their son Telemachus.

But that's just the start. Zendaya appears as the goddess Athena (fun fact: Nolan actually asked Holland to go home and pitch the role to her personally), Robert Pattinson plays the villain Antinous, and Lupita Nyong'o takes on a dual role as both Helen of Troy and her twin sister Clytemnestra. The cast also includes Charlize Theron as Calypso, Jon Bernthal as Menelaus, Elliot Page as Sinon, Mia Goth as Melantho, and Bill Irwin as the Cyclops. Yes, really.

What Critics Are Saying

The social media embargo lifted on Monday, July 6, and critics didn't hold back. Matt Maytum of Total Film called it "intense and immense — an elemental epic and a feat of world building. Nolan has done it again." Clayton Davis of Variety compared it to Nolan's version of Hamilton, praising its "multicultural, generational cast." Kotaku described it as "clunky, astonishing, and like Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings" — which is a compliment of the highest order.

Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter is calling it "Nolan's biggest film to date," while Radio Times hailed it a "staggering achievement." The consistent theme? This is a movie that demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible.

Holland also revealed that he got Spider-Man: Brand New Day's schedule shifted so he could be part of The Odyssey, saying he believed the delay actually helped the Spider-Man script become even stronger. With both films dropping in July — The Odyssey on the 17th and Brand New Day right after — it's shaping up to be a massive month for the actor.

Full reviews drop on July 15, but if these first reactions are any indication, Nolan just delivered another masterpiece. Book your IMAX tickets now — seriously.