In brief
While fans and critics herald Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey as a cinematic triumph, Emily Wilson, whose 2017 translation inspired the director, blasts the film’s plot and character depth in the London Review of Books. She decries the story as gimmicky and the food as “horrible”, but acknowledges the film’s impact on reviving interest in the classic. Wilson also praises the film’s family‑friendly spectacle and its potential to keep literature alive, though she remains disappointed by its lack of psychological and moral depth. Critics, however, praise the blockbuster as a masterpiece that could reshape cinema.”
Sir Christopher Nolan’s latest film, The Odyssey, may have won rave reviews and storming box‑office receipts – but one person is definitely not happy.
Emily Wilson, the academic whose 2017 translation of Homer’s Odyssey was cited by Nolan as an influence, has written a scathing review in the London Review of Books. She wrote she “would be ashamed to have written any of this script,” describing the film’s narrative structure as gimmicky.
Wilson slammed the writing as abysmal and noted the lack of convincing motives for characters. She added that the film contained no sex scenes and that all food looked horrible. She further wrote that the movie “lacks psychological, emotional, political and ethical depth.”
Despite her criticism, Wilson acknowledged that Nolan’s work re‑sparked interest in Homer's classic. She said the release of The Odyssey is still an event to celebrate and added that translations of the epic, including hers, are flying off shelves. She also hoped Nolan’s appreciation of Homeric themes would push him to new creative heights, though she was disappointed that the film’s vision was “too confused” and its characters under‑developed.
Wilson praised the film’s family‑friendly spectacle, comparing it to an elaborate Fourth of July fireworks display but lamenting the shallow narrative. She noted that while there are more female characters than in most Nolan movies, none of them has much to say. The film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, with Anne Hathaway and Tom Holland as Penelope and Telemachus, respectively, and features stars such as Zendaya, Charlize Theron and Lupita Nyong’o.
In contrast, mainstream critics have lauded the movie. The Telegraph declared it the “film of the year”, while The Standard called it a “colossal piece of cinema”. The Times described it as a “masterpiece in every way”. The film’s first outing has already revived cinema attendance and sparked renewed discourse on literature and history departments.
