Christopher Nolan's film 'Odyssey,' scheduled for premiere on July 17, has already sparked heated discussions among critics who attended the world premiere at Leicester Square on Monday. These reviews have been highly enthusiastic.
Premiere and Budget Details
This three-hour adaptation of Homer's epic poem took place in London. The cast includes Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, and Charlize Theron, who is from South Africa. The film was shot entirely on large-format IMAX cameras, and its estimated budget is $250 million (approximately 4.58 billion rands). According to The Guardian, it needs to gross at least $500 million (about 9.15 billion rands) to break even.
Professional Community Reactions
Universal Studios declined standard influencer screenings, so initial opinions were primarily formed among the press invited to the gala event. Steven Weintraub from Collider called the movie 'INCREDIBLE,' noting that 'everything—from the flawless acting to how Nolan uses the supernatural—is just perfect,' and strongly advised viewers to watch it in IMAX 70mm for a 'breathtaking experience.'
Eric Davis, writing on X, characterized the work as an 'absolute triumph and the pinnacle of cinematic achievement by one of the greatest directors of our time,' adding that 'the scale is unlike anything he has done before.' Davis specifically highlighted Robert Pattinson, who plays the villain Antinous, stating: 'Robert Pattinson simply stole the show for me.' He noted that Pattinson fully immerses himself in the character's villainous nature, making it one of the most striking roles of his career.
Novelties and Comparisons with Past Works
Aaron Couch from The Hollywood Reporter pointed out an unexpected element—a 'developed horror scene' from a director not known for this genre, emphasizing that 'Odyssey' is something new in Nolan's filmography in the last 25 years. Anne Thompson from IndieWire went further, naming the film a contender for Best Picture and suggesting that Damon 'could win Best Actor.' However, not everyone was unanimous. The lead critic at IndieWire, David Ehrlich, described the picture as 'surprisingly natural' and 'less desperate' compared to Nolan's previous film 'Oppenheimer,' which won the Oscar in 2023 and grossed nearly $1 billion (about 18.3 billion rands) at the box office, but also found it 'too cumbersome to be an S-tier Nolan, although the final act rewards the journey.'
Director's Words and Conclusion
Presenting the film on Monday evening, Nolan told the audience at Leicester Square that the premiere there was a 'moment of full circle,' as he grew up watching films in that same cinema, and had 'dreamed of one day making a film that would fill this screen.' He then offered a lighthearted warning to the attending critics: 'You are the first in the world to see this film, so please be kind.' Full reviews remain under embargo until closer to the July 17 release date. Judging by the initial reactions, Nolan did not need to worry.