“An absolute triumph”: the first reactions to Nolan’s Odyssey are rave
The most anticipated project of the year received its world premiere in London last night. And the first reviews are laudatory, already suggesting a new peak in the director’s career.
After months of waiting, Christopher Nolan has finally revealed The Odyssey during its world premiere in London. The blockbuster, which will be released in France on July 15, seems to have largely convinced the first spectators and journalists present.
On X, Erik Davis from Fandango don’t beat around the bush: “It is an absolute triumph and the cinematic achievement of one of the greatest directors of our time.” The journalist also salutes the performance of Robert Pattinson, whom he judges “deceitful, manipulative and irresistibly captivating”adding that the actor delivers “one of (his) favorite performances.“
Same enthusiasm from Jazz Tangcay of Varietywho describes the film as “a stunning success, a spectacular and triumphant epic“. It also highlights the performances of Tom Holland, Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, John Leguizamo, Robert Pattinson and Lupita Nyong’o.
Christopher Nolan’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… pic.twitter.com/yLxocUEEdn
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) July 6, 2026
For Joshua Rothkopf of Los Angeles Times, The Odyssey is simply “pure cinema“.
For his part, Aaron Couch of The Hollywood Reporter highlights an unprecedented aspect of Nolan’s filmography: “I have seen his films in theaters since Memento. And after 25 years, The Odyssey finally offers us a truly horrific sequence directed by Christopher Nolan…“
Been seeing his movies in theaters since Memento, and after 25 years, #TheOdyssey gives us a first: a fleshed out horror sequence directed by Christopher Nolan
— Aaron Couch (@AaronCouch) July 6, 2026
The editor-in-chief of ColliderSteven Weintraub, goes even further: “The Odyssey is incredible. I’ve had the chance to see it twice and it’s even better on the second viewing. I’m totally blown away.”
Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ is INCREDIBLE.
I’m really blown away by this film. Everything from the flawless performances to the way Nolan embraces the supernatural is just perfect.
If you can, SEE IT IN @IMAX 70mm. It’s a jaw dropping experience.
It’ll be great… pic.twitter.com/UXEAjF8cKk
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) July 6, 2026
The critic of Guardianevokes for his part “a huge epic about post-war disillusionment and the loss of innocence“.
Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey is a colossal origin-myth story of postwar disillusion and a loss of innocence witnessed by the dead. Review later
— Peter Bradshaw (@PeterBradshaw1) July 6, 2026
Rachel Leishman from the site The Mary Sue considers the film to be “as epic as its source material“, calling it “grandiose, bold and simply perfect.“
THE ODYSSEY is as epic as its source material with that level of Christopher Nolan spark that makes it something special. It’s a story of love and loss and takes you on quite the journey in only the way Nolan knows how. Breathtaking, bold, and perfect. pic.twitter.com/ycJ2zHEDsQ
— Rachel Leishman (@RachelLeishman) July 6, 2026
The reactions, however, are not completely unanimous. David Ehrlich from the site IndieWire is a little more measured, judging the film “trop clumsy to join the top of Nolan’s filmography“. He nevertheless recognizes that “his last act amply rewards the journey.”
The Odyssey: a surprisingly natural (and less despairing) Oppenheimer follow-up about a man haunted by defying the gods & dooming civilization – this one fights to avenge his own hubris. IMAX obviously huge. too clunky to be S-tier Nolan, but the last act rewards the journey.
— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) July 6, 2026
