Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey may be dominating the global box office and drawing widespread critical acclaim, but one of the scholars most closely associated with Homer’s epic has emerged as one of its sharpest critics.

Emily Wilson, the celebrated classicist whose 2017 translation of The Odyssey was publicly cited by Nolan as a key influence on his film, has published a blistering review of the adaptation in the London Review of Books. In it, she argues that the film sacrifices the richness of Homer’s poem in favour of spectacle, describing the screenplay as “abysmal.”

Wilson was particularly critical of the film’s writing and characterisation, arguing that it lacks “psychological, emotional, political and ethical depth.” She also questioned the motivations of its characters, dismissed its narrative structure as “gimmicky” and wrote, “I would be ashamed to have written any part of this script.”

Nolan had previously praised Wilson’s translation while promoting the film, revealing that its opening line, “Tell me about a complicated man,” helped shape his interpretation of Odysseus, played by Matt Damon. Wilson, however, suggested the adaptation ultimately strips away many of the qualities that have allowed Homer’s epic to endure for nearly three millennia, arguing that its treatment of memory, war, family and moral complexity never reaches the emotional weight of the source material.

She also criticised several creative choices, including the portrayal of women and supporting characters, while describing the film as a combination of “grandiosity and superficiality” despite acknowledging its technical ambition and entertainment value.

Despite her strongly negative assessment, Wilson stopped short of dismissing the film’s cultural impact. She noted that the blockbuster has sparked renewed interest in Homer’s work, with translations of The Odyssey, including her own, seeing a surge in readership. She added that she hopes the film’s popularity encourages more people to engage with classical literature and strengthens support for literature, language and history programmes at universities.

Released earlier this month, The Odyssey stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson and Lupita Nyong’o. The film has earned strong reviews from critics and become one of the year’s biggest box office successes.

Published - July 28, 2026 12:40 pm IST