★ Story

The Odyssey is one of mankind’s oldest stories, but Nolan still finds a way to bring it new life. When Nolan accepted his Oscar for Best Director for the smash hit Oppenheimer, he said, “Movies are just a little over 100 years old. Imagine being there 100 years into painting or theater. We don’t know where this incredible journey is going from here, but to know that you think I’m a meaningful part of it means the world to me.” Much like Odysseus, Nolan is now the captain of this journey. His scripts bring to life what movies are all about: the vision of a film, no matter how grand or epic in scale, brought to life.

★ Directing

Nolan really unleashes his inner horror director between the Cyclops and Circe. He has a habit of teasing his next projects in his current ones, like when Oppenheimer is mentioned in Tenet, so maybe this is a sign of what’s to come from him. The scene where the Laestrygonians (the big armored dudes pictured in many posters) attack Odysseus and his crew was amazing. The way Nolan shoots it to make it seem like the trees are moving and trapping the soldiers is just so eerie and frightening. Nolan is my favorite director because my name is Nolan. Is that silly? Yes, but his rise to become Hollywood’s top director has been a joy for me to watch because of it. He is an inspiration to me. I hope that one day, when cinema history hears the name Nolan, people don’t think only of Christopher but of me as well. Now, that’s just a dream for me, but this was also once a dream for the most powerful director on the planet, and he has made it a reality. That is the power of a great director.

★ Theme

The way Nolan modernizes the themes of this 3,000-year-old story is perfect. When we defy the gods, we feel that every misfortune we then suffer is the direct result of their punishment, when in reality, it’s our own conscience and guilt punishing us most of the time. This is core to being human, along with our love of loyal pets and family—something that both Homer and Nolan recognized and tapped into three millennia apart.

★ Characters

The true beauty of this story is how driven it is by its characters. When characters are bystanders to the story as it unfolds, they become forgettable. These characters, however, are unforgettable. Penelope’s rage, Antinous’ scheming, Eumaeus’s loyalty—they all drive the story. Odysseus is portrayed not as a perfect Greek hero but as a fallible and sometimes broken leader. Even the monsters and the dead have such personality.

★ Cast

Nolan’s cast brings these iconic characters fully to life. Whether it’s Robert Pattinson’s brilliant performance scolding beggars or Himesh Patel’s respectful mutiny, everyone in the cast is fully immersed in the story. Elliot Page’s role as Sinon shines for me. Despite having little screen time, he delivers maybe the best-acted scene in the movie. Everyone on this project, from the biggest stars to the smallest characters, is rowing together.

Final verdict

I loved it. Everyone should see it. Nolan truly is a master of his craft.