Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has finally had its first major screening, and the early reactions are pouring in.
The verdict so far?
Critics appear blown away.
The much-awaited epic premiered in London ahead of its theatrical release, with select film critics and journalists attending the screening.
Early reactions shared on social media have praised the film’s massive scale, breathtaking IMAX visuals, powerful performances and surprising horror elements.
The strong first buzz is only adding to the hype surrounding one of the year’s most talked-about films.
‘Flawless Filmmaking’
Producer and journalist Simon Thompson called the film “flawless filmmaking” and praised Matt Damon’s performance as Odysseus.
He described Damon’s act as a career-best powerhouse performance, while also singling out Robert Pattinson and John Leguizamo for praise.
Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes’ Erik Davis went even further, calling The Odyssey an “absolute triumph” and a major cinematic achievement.
According to him, Nolan’s years of experimenting with IMAX appear to have culminated in this film, with spectacular production design, breathtaking action and an unprecedented sense of scale.
Critics Praise Scale, Sound And Emotion
Senior critic Ben Rolph described the movie as an epic of enormous scope, while also praising its emotional core.
He said the sound shook the cinema and highlighted Robert Pattinson’s performance as one of the major standouts.
Slashfilm’s Jeremy Mathai said the film “has the goods”, comparing its ambition to a biblical epic while praising how Nolan balances huge scale with intimacy.
Several early viewers also highlighted the film’s darker and more unexpected elements.
Some reactions praised the surprising horror sequences, while others compared the scale and world-building to major fantasy epics such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
IMAX Becomes The Biggest Talking Point
One of the most repeated points in the early reactions is the film’s use of IMAX.
IndieWire’s Chris O’Falt called it Nolan’s greatest IMAX achievement yet, saying the large-format visuals are deeply integrated into the filmmaker’s overall composition.
MovieWeb’s Joseph Deckelmeier said the film reminded him why he loves cinema and insisted that it demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible.
Entertainment editor Mark Daniell also praised Nolan for entering new territory with a sweeping and grand visual experience.
Cyclops And Circe Sequences Win Praise
GamesRadar’s Jordan Farley described The Odyssey as monumental filmmaking and praised its interpretation of Greek mythology.
He particularly highlighted the Cyclops and Circe sequences, calling them among the best set pieces of Nolan’s career.
Daily Express critic George Simpson also praised the jaw-dropping IMAX visuals, while noting that Nolan has added a few modern twists that may divide purists.
Casting Backlash Before Release
The glowing reactions come after the film faced some criticism online over casting choices, particularly Lupita Nyong’o as Helen and Elliot Page as Sinon.
The final trailer also reportedly attracted a large number of dislikes.
However, the first screening reactions suggest that the finished film may silence at least some of the pre-release criticism.
Star-Studded Epic
The Odyssey stars Matt Damon as Odysseus and Anne Hathaway as Penelope.
The huge ensemble cast also includes Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Samantha Morton, Zendaya and Charlize Theron.
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is set to hit theatres on July 17.
Going by the first reactions, Nolan may have another massive cinematic event on his hands.
