Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Homer's epic poem, 'The Odyssey', has not only garnered critical acclaim but has also emerged as a significant box office success, defying a targeted online campaign. Released on Friday, 17 July, the film commanded a global opening weekend of $264 million (approximately £196 million). This figure surpasses the initial performance of Nolan's 2023 hit 'Oppenheimer', which benefited from the highly publicised 'Barbenheimer' phenomenon.
This impressive debut marks Nolan's strongest opening since 'The Dark Knight Rises' in 2012, positioning 'The Odyssey' to potentially rival the overall earnings of his most bankable films, such as 'The Dark Knight' (2008) and 'Inception' (2010), which grossed $1.09 billion (£815.4 million) and $839 million (£626 million) respectively. The film's popularity is evident in its widespread availability, with multiplexes offering up to 18 showings daily, many of which are either fully booked or nearing capacity. Notably, every screening at the BFI IMAX is sold out until mid-September.
The film's triumph is particularly notable given the organised online backlash it faced, spearheaded by figures including Elon Musk. These efforts attempted to undermine the film based on its casting choices, specifically the inclusion of transgender actor Elliot Page as Odysseus's loyal soldier Sinon and Black actor Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy. Both actors play crucial, albeit smaller, roles and have been widely praised for their performances. Nyong'o herself addressed the controversy, telling Elle magazine that the cast is 'representative of the world' and that 'the criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not'. Nolan dismissed the unwarranted backlash as 'irrelevant', pointing out that the complaints came from individuals who had not yet seen the film.
Beyond the casting controversies, 'The Odyssey' also drew initial criticism from some scholars of the ancient text, who expressed concerns over production details such as costume design and the use of contemporary English. Specific points of contention included male characters wearing trousers instead of skirts and the use of the word 'dad' over 'father'. The finished film has divided these purists, with some viewing these as significant departures and others more accepting of Nolan's artistic interpretations. The director has crafted a distinctly Nolan-esque narrative, exploring themes of time, memory loss, and the desire for reunion, while also touching upon the psychological impact of war, reminiscent of 'Oppenheimer'.
Despite its detractors, the film has received widespread critical acclaim, currently holding a 95% rating on the review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes and an average rating of 4.4 out of five on the popular film app Letterboxd. This makes 'The Odyssey' Nolan's most critically lauded film to date, further solidifying his position as a leading force in event cinema, following in the footsteps of cinematic giants like David Lean and Steven Spielberg. In a notable comparison, 'The Odyssey' surpassed the entire five-week theatrical run of Spielberg's recent film, 'Disclosure Day', which grossed $236.1 million (£176.6 million), in just its opening week.