The Odyssey (Christopher Nolan)
NOW IN THEATERS: Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' opened worldwide Jul 17, 2026. Reviews overwhelmingly positive; Variety: 'Nolan's biggest film to date, a staggering achievement'. Elliot Page's role as Sinon (Greek warrior) went viral. Matt Damon (Odysseus) called a career best. $250M IMAX epic. Sources: Variety, THR, E! Online.
The context
Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s ‘The Odyssey’ opened in theaters worldwide on July 17, 2026, to the kind of reception that only arrives once a decade. Ticket sales had opened roughly a year in advance, with IMAX showings selling out within hours. The film is shot entirely on IMAX film cameras, a first for any feature, and carries an R rating, signaling a gritty, adult take on the ancient epic.
On July 14, three days before opening, the first wave of press reactions confirmed what advance sales had already signalled. Variety called it “Nolan’s biggest film to date, a staggering achievement”; The Hollywood Reporter noted it contains “triple the number of huge set pieces than any previous Nolan film”; Matt Damon’s performance as Odysseus is described by multiple outlets as a career best. The lone dissenting note calls the film “too clunky to be S-tier Nolan, but the last act rewards the journey.” Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline.
Opening-day buzz: Elliot Page as Sinon. Alongside the film’s release, one casting choice dominated social media on July 16-17: Elliot Page in the role of Sinon, the Greek soldier who deceived the Trojans into accepting the wooden horse. A clip of Page in full Greek armor drew millions of views and sparked an intense online debate, mockery from some corners, widespread support from others. Page, who has spoken publicly about boxing training and a physical transformation for the role, hit the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere on opening night. Source: E! Online.
People also ask
True or false?
Yes, July 17, 2026. (Universal Pictures)
No, Matt Damon is Odysseus. Tom Holland plays his son Telemachus. (Wikipedia)
True. IMAX says he used never-before-seen cameras, captured largely in-camera. (IMAX, Britannica)
All confirmed, in a stacked ensemble led by Damon and Anne Hathaway. (Wikipedia)
Unconfirmed. Nolan likes them long, but no official runtime yet, so treat it as speculation.
Confirmed. Page plays Sinon, a Greek warrior from the Trojan War narrative. (E! Online, red-carpet coverage Jul 17 2026)