Christopher Nolan makes his visions come to life with his writing and his filmmaking. He combines both to ensure his projects are forever memorable. With over two million feet of IMAX 70 MM film, he brings us The Odyssey. After seeing Nolan speak in-person during CinemaCon 2026 at the Dolby Colosseum in Las Vegas, I am convinced he is a director that I trust with the use of IMAX cameras. Nolan ensures the movie-going experience is life-changing. Each of his movies in 70 MM format and IMAX formats have done just that…from The Dark Knight to Inception to Oppenheimer. The Odyssey is the step up to a new height of cinematic achievement that will be remembered by audiences across the entire world. Nolan’s efforts were focused on jumping into the “physicality of the real world,” with The Odyssey. The experience that this film delivers feels extremely like “the real world.”  

In Nolan’s films, his dynamics are powerful. The power that was presented in Inception makes me think of every moving part in every ratio in every moment I have seen it. The same goes for Oppenheimer. I watched both in 70 MM. For  Inception it was 70 MM IMAX, and for Oppenheimer in a normal theatrical 70 MM format. His poetic use of technology challenges audiences to think about the inner workings of  important characterizations. In The Odyssey, the patterns portrayed cinematically are enthralling. 

Before examining the plot and the film’s monumental cinematics, it is important to understand the vast cast in The Odyssey. Matt Damon is Odysseus, the Greek King of Ithaca. Tom Holland is Telemachus, the son of Odysseus. Anne Hathaway is Penelope, Odysseus’s wife and the queen of Ithaca. Robert Pattinson is Antinous,  a suitor to Penelope and the enemy. Lupita Nyong’o plays both Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra. Zendaya is Athena, the goddess of wisdom. She is enthralled with warfare, and bound to protect Odysseus on his rough journey home. Charlize Theron is Calypso, is a nymph that comes from the island of Ogygia. Her goal is to keep Odysseus as her immortal husband. All dynamics serve a purpose—and many hold the keys to the journey home for Odysseus. Be ready for the term, “Zeus law,” to have a massive presence. It is presented in an audacious form as every effort involving dynamics and authority gravitates around “Zeus law” in The Odyssey.

As Odysseus tries to find his way home, he must navigate the voyage of the sea. During his journey, Telemachus is trying to maintain hope of his father’s return. At the same time, Ithaca remains at risk. With Antinous around, the reputation lingers. The theme of the journey is showcased with brilliance in The Odyssey. Nolan does so through the castles and the seas. 70 MM is the ideal way to feel the essence of the surreal wonders of The Odyssey. Telemachus maintains and finds information about Odysseus while both are on the voyage for answers. The moving parts required to make it home using the Greek mythological setting are written with spellbinding aesthetics. The search for home is full of inspiring adventures. The Odyssey is a world where Nolan has all the pieces and the dynamics set just right. With the voyage including mythical creatures and uncharted territory, the environmental elements faced in during this journey keep audiences thinking about persistence, authority, time, and respect. There are also plenty of amazingly written “POWERFUL GODS” in The Odyssey.

The ultimate way to embrace The Odyssey is to see it in cinemas where it is playing on film. This means seeing it in 70 MM, 70 MM IMAX, or 35 MM. The surreal scenes will fill up the screen. Nolan chose to take on this project because the story has never been adapted in a big scale production for a movie studio. Because of  the intense storyline, Nolan was inspired to study the many components and create a script that was non-linear. This is a poetic approach from a director who is determined to get things done just  right. With all the technological aspects of the film, Nolan’s world will restore audiences’ faith in The Odyssey. Nolan’s narratives, scenarios, and puzzle pieces come together in a way that ensures every event happens for a reason. Nolan paints the portraits loud and clear. The order of shifting between events and conflicts transpires wonders in The Odyssey. Similar in ways to how he directed Oppenheimer, he uses misdirection with aesthetics for purpose. Trying to understand why there are enemies, foes, and doubts may seem frustrating, but it is necessary. It is cinematically the best film of 2026. Matt Damon, Robert Pattinson, and Tom Holland deliver performances that will blow audiences away. The tides are rough, and the journey is epic. The Odyssey is an unforgettable adventure from Christopher Nolan.

The power of ownership, pride, vengeance, and restoration are all dynamically portrayed in The Odyssey.  The film’s storyline and Nolan’s  writing in a “non-linear” fashion creates a warfare that is pure spectacle. The characters have vital context in this astonishing sensation. Nolan is the king of writing with context and authority in The Odyssey. This film simply must be seen in the best format because the IMAX cameras will take audiences on an incomparable ride featuring Damon’s performance as Odysseus! Four out of four stars!