- Primary Subject: Early critical reactions to The Odyssey
- Key Update: Initial social media reactions to the new Christopher Nolan movie are out on social media.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: July 7, 2026
- Quick Answer: Early reactions hail Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey as a breathtaking, masterful IMAX spectacle featuring a career-best performance from Matt Damon and stunning mythological horror sequences.
The first batch of social media reactions to The Odyssey is finally out online. Is Christopher Nolan's new film worth watching?
Following the massive awards and box-office success of Oppenheimer, fans are looking forward to the Oscar-winning filmmaker's follow-up work. They are hoping that the new epic will live up to the hype and be another masterpiece from one of today's best directors, as well as deliver an epic adventure worthy of the big screen.
Is The Odyssey Worth Watching? Early Reactions Weigh In
Following the world premiere event in London, the social media embargo for The Odyssey was finally lifted, and critics who watched the early screenings were able to weigh in on the new film.
The early reactions to Nolan's newest work are overwhelmingly glowing, with critics and journalists widely hailing the fantasy epic as a staggering filmmaking achievement.
Initial reviews heavily praise the movie's unprecedented scale and breathtaking visuals, noting that as the first narrative feature filmed entirely with IMAX cameras, Hoyte van Hoytema’s cinematography and the heavy reliance on practical effects deliver a truly jaw-dropping spectacle.
Many critics are pleasantly surprised by Nolan’s willingness to embrace the abstract, supernatural, and mythological elements of Homer's epic, specifically singling out a fully realized horror sequence alongside highly praised set pieces featuring the Cyclops and Circe.
The film's stacked ensemble cast has also drawn rave reviews across the board. Matt Damon’s lead performance as Odysseus is being celebrated as a powerhouse, career-best turn, while Robert Pattinson is frequently singled out as a scene-stealer in his villainous role as Antinous. Additional praise has been showered on supporting performances from Anne Hathaway, Samantha Morton, Tom Holland, and John Leguizamo.
Reviewers note that despite the movie's dense pacing and massive scope, it anchors itself on a deeply emotional throughline about war, disillusionment, and the desperate yearning for home.
While some mentioned that the film's vignette-style storytelling can feel slightly disorienting or clunky at the outset, the consensus remains that a spectacular final act beautifully rewards the audience's journey. Some also noted that The Odyssey could be one of the Best Picture frontrunners for the upcoming awards season.
You can check some of the early reaction posts from X here:
What to Expect in The Odyssey
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is based on Homer's ancient Greek epic. Set after the Trojan War, the story follows Odysseus as he faces the dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and Circe along the way.
The star-studded cast includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, Elliot Page, Himesh Patel, Mia Goth, Corey Hawkins, and many more.
The film is set to arrive in theaters on July 17, including in premium IMAX screenings worldwide and other premium large formats.
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