{"id":2031078,"date":"2026-07-07T09:13:03","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T06:13:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2031078"},"modified":"2026-07-07T09:13:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T06:13:03","slug":"the-odyssey-first-reactions-hail-it-as-a-triumph-not-even-the-gods-can-prepare-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2031078","title":{"rendered":"\u2018The Odyssey\u2019 first reactions hail it as a \u2018triumph\u2019: \u201cNot even the gods can prepare you\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Matt-Damon-The-Odyssey.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"template-id-2749694\" class=\"post-2749694 tdb_templates type-tdb_templates status-publish post\">\n<div id=\"tdi_65\" class=\"tdc-zone\">\n<div class=\"tdc_zone tdi_66  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div id=\"tdi_67\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_68  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_70  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_breadcrumbs tdi_71 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-breadcrumbs \" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_71\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span>News<\/span><i class=\"tdb-bread-sep td-icon-right\"><\/i><span>Film News<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_title tdi_72 tdb-single-title td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_72\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">\u2018The Odyssey\u2019 first reactions hail it as a \u2018triumph\u2019: \u201cNot even the gods can prepare you\u201d<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_subtitle tdi_73 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_73\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>&#8220;A crowning cinematic achievement from one of the great filmmakers of our time&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_author tdi_75 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_75\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span> Victoria Luxford<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_date tdi_76 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_76\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-07T10:13:03+01:00\">7th July 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- .\/block --><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_77\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_78  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_80  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span8\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_81 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_81\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<figure>\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"442\" class=\"entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Matt-Damon-The-Odyssey-696x442.jpg\" alt=\"Christopher Nolan The Odyssey\" title=\"Matt Damon The Odyssey\"><figcaption class=\"tdb-caption-text\">Matt Damon in &#8216;The Odyssey. CREDIT: Universal Pictures<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_83 article-content-row vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_85  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>The first critics\u2019 reactions have come from Christopher Nolan\u2019s <em>The Odyssey<\/em>, which held its premiere last night (July 6) in London.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>READ MORE:<\/strong> \u2018The Odyssey\u2019 could be Christopher Nolan\u2019s biggest blockbuster yet<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Oscar-winning director\u2019s follow-up to <em>Oppenheimer<\/em> is an adaptation of the epic poem by Greek writer Homer, and stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, a king making the perilous voyage home after a long war. It was recently revealed the film would screen for critics only after forgoing influencer screenings, and those critics have delivered a near-unanimous verdict.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cChristopher Nolan\u2019s #TheOdyssey is an absolute triumph and a crowning cinematic achievement from one of the great filmmakers of our time,\u201d said <em>Fandango\u2019s<\/em> Erik Davis on X (formerly Twitter). \u201cWhat really surprised me is how much he embraces horror. Some of the film\u2019s biggest moments are genuinely unsettling, adding a whole new dimension to his filmmaking while never losing sight of the humanity at the story\u2019s core. The cast is stacked, and somehow everyone still gets a chance to shine. Anne Hathaway is incredible, Matt Damon is excellent, and Tom Holland continues to prove he can do just about anything. But Robert Pattinson absolutely stole the show for me.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Christopher Nolan&#8217;s #TheOdyssey is an absolute triumph and a crowning cinematic achievement from one of the great filmmakers of our time. It feels like everything Nolan has been working toward with IMAX has culminated here. The production design is incredible, the action is\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/yLxocUEEdn<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) July 6, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Critic Matt Neglia wrote: \u201cChristopher Nolan\u2019s adaptation of <em>The Odyssey<\/em> is as epic as movies get with some of the most breathtaking set pieces he\u2019s ever attempted,\u201d adding: \u201cI grew up loving grand, sword and action dramas such as <em>Gladiator<\/em>, <em>Braveheart<\/em>, <em>The Last Samurai<\/em>, and yes, even <em>Troy<\/em>. I\u2019m beyond thrilled to say Nolan\u2019s ambitious dissection of myth and legend looms large over them all.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Christopher Nolan\u2019s adaptation of THE ODYSSEY is as epic as movies get with some of the most breathtaking set pieces he\u2019s ever attempted. A colossal achievement of scale, even by Nolan\u2019s standards, its commitment to capturing as much as possible in-camera using new IMAX cameras\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/UOOHd6lkbT<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) July 6, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Writer Simon Thompson posted: \u201cChristopher Nolan\u2019s #TheOdyssey is flawless filmmaking, every inch as epic as you\u2019d expect. Leading a stellar cast, Matt Damon gives Odysseus everything in a career-best powerhouse performance. Robert Pattinson is outstanding as Antinous and John Leguizamo\u2019s Eumaeus is sublime.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Christopher Nolan&#8217;s #TheOdyssey is flawless filmmaking, every inch as epic as you&#8217;d expect. Leading a stellar cast, Matt Damon gives Odysseus everything in a career-best powerhouse performance. Robert Pattinson is outstanding as Antinous and John Leguizamo&#8217;s Eumaeus is sublime. pic.twitter.com\/NDrr95vrnE<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) July 6, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>One influencer did get to see it, with TikTok critic EccyReviews writing: \u201cI HAVE SEEN <em>The Odyssey<\/em>, Not even the gods can prepare you for this film. Groundbreaking film, an experience I\u2019ll never forget.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I HAVE SEEN The Odyssey, Not even the gods can prepare you for this film. Groundbreaking film, an experience I\u2019ll never forget. pic.twitter.com\/fNmtZSntyg<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 EccyReviews (@Eccy_reviews) July 6, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><em>The Odyssey<\/em> is in cinemas from July 17.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-2\" class=\"lazy-ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Recently, cast member Tom Holland talked about how he initially thought Nolan hated his performance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_tags tdi_87 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_87\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<ul class=\"tdb-tags\">\n<li><span>Related Topics<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Anne Hathaway<\/li>\n<li>Christopher Nolan<\/li>\n<li>Matt Damon<\/li>\n<li>Oppenheimer<\/li>\n<li>Robert Pattinson<\/li>\n<li>The Odyssey<\/li>\n<li>Tom Holland<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_89 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>You May Also Like<\/h3>\n<div id=\"taboola-below-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_91  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span4 td-is-sticky\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td-a-rec td-a-rec-id-sidebar  tdi_92 td_block_template_2\">\n<p><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-sidebar-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap td_flex_block_1 tdi_93 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdc-no-posts td_flex_block\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_93\">\n<div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\">\n<h4 class=\"td-block-title\"><span class=\"td-pulldown-size\">TRENDING<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_93\" class=\"td_block_inner td-mc1-wrap\">\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NME-HERO-HAUTE-AND-FREDDY-CREDIT-KRISTEN-JAN-WONG@2560x1707-400x267.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NME-HERO-HAUTE-AND-FREDDY-CREDIT-KRISTEN-JAN-WONG@2560x1707-800x533.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Step right up! 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data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Francesco_Prandoni_Brianna_Bryson-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Francesco_Prandoni_Brianna_Bryson-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Watch Swedish House Mafia debut new Lykke Li collab \u2018Happiness Is So Sad\u2019 in Ibiza<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>                    <span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span>                <\/article>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>The first critics\u2019 reactions have come from Christopher Nolan\u2019s <em>The Odyssey<\/em>, which held its premiere last night (July 6) in London.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>READ MORE:<\/strong> \u2018The Odyssey\u2019 could be Christopher Nolan\u2019s biggest blockbuster yet<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Oscar-winning director\u2019s follow-up to <em>Oppenheimer<\/em> is an adaptation of the epic poem by Greek writer Homer, and stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, a king making the perilous voyage home after a long war. It was recently revealed the film would screen for critics only after forgoing influencer screenings, and those critics have delivered a near-unanimous verdict.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cChristopher Nolan\u2019s #TheOdyssey is an absolute triumph and a crowning cinematic achievement from one of the great filmmakers of our time,\u201d said <em>Fandango\u2019s<\/em> Erik Davis on X (formerly Twitter). \u201cWhat really surprised me is how much he embraces horror. Some of the film\u2019s biggest moments are genuinely unsettling, adding a whole new dimension to his filmmaking while never losing sight of the humanity at the story\u2019s core. The cast is stacked, and somehow everyone still gets a chance to shine. Anne Hathaway is incredible, Matt Damon is excellent, and Tom Holland continues to prove he can do just about anything. But Robert Pattinson absolutely stole the show for me.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Christopher Nolan&#8217;s #TheOdyssey is an absolute triumph and a crowning cinematic achievement from one of the great filmmakers of our time. It feels like everything Nolan has been working toward with IMAX has culminated here. The production design is incredible, the action is\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/yLxocUEEdn<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) July 6, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Critic Matt Neglia wrote: \u201cChristopher Nolan\u2019s adaptation of <em>The Odyssey<\/em> is as epic as movies get with some of the most breathtaking set pieces he\u2019s ever attempted,\u201d adding: \u201cI grew up loving grand, sword and action dramas such as <em>Gladiator<\/em>, <em>Braveheart<\/em>, <em>The Last Samurai<\/em>, and yes, even <em>Troy<\/em>. I\u2019m beyond thrilled to say Nolan\u2019s ambitious dissection of myth and legend looms large over them all.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Christopher Nolan\u2019s adaptation of THE ODYSSEY is as epic as movies get with some of the most breathtaking set pieces he\u2019s ever attempted. A colossal achievement of scale, even by Nolan\u2019s standards, its commitment to capturing as much as possible in-camera using new IMAX cameras\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/UOOHd6lkbT<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) July 6, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Writer Simon Thompson posted: \u201cChristopher Nolan\u2019s #TheOdyssey is flawless filmmaking, every inch as epic as you\u2019d expect. Leading a stellar cast, Matt Damon gives Odysseus everything in a career-best powerhouse performance. Robert Pattinson is outstanding as Antinous and John Leguizamo\u2019s Eumaeus is sublime.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Christopher Nolan&#8217;s #TheOdyssey is flawless filmmaking, every inch as epic as you&#8217;d expect. Leading a stellar cast, Matt Damon gives Odysseus everything in a career-best powerhouse performance. Robert Pattinson is outstanding as Antinous and John Leguizamo&#8217;s Eumaeus is sublime. pic.twitter.com\/NDrr95vrnE<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) July 6, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>One influencer did get to see it, with TikTok critic EccyReviews writing: \u201cI HAVE SEEN <em>The Odyssey<\/em>, Not even the gods can prepare you for this film. Groundbreaking film, an experience I\u2019ll never forget.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I HAVE SEEN The Odyssey, Not even the gods can prepare you for this film. Groundbreaking film, an experience I\u2019ll never forget. pic.twitter.com\/fNmtZSntyg<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 EccyReviews (@Eccy_reviews) July 6, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><em>The Odyssey<\/em> is in cinemas from July 17.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-2\" class=\"lazy-ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Recently, cast member Tom Holland talked about how he initially thought Nolan hated his performance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/film\/the-odyssey-first-reactions-hail-it-as-a-triumph-not-even-the-gods-can-prepare-you-3955422&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Matt-Damon-The-Odyssey.jpg&#8221;] NewsFilm News \u2018The Odyssey\u2019 first reactions hail it as a \u2018triumph\u2019: \u201cNot even the gods can prepare you\u201d &#8220;A crowning cinematic achievement from one of the great filmmakers of our time&#8221; By Victoria Luxford 7th July 2026 Matt Damon in &#8216;The Odyssey. CREDIT: Universal Pictures The first critics\u2019 reactions have come from [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,78],"class_list":["post-2031078","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nme-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2031078","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2031078"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2031078\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2031078"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2031078"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2031078"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}