In the movie trailer, Athena questions Odysseus: “Don’t you remember? Thunder. Fire. Death.” To which he replies, “I remember a wife, a son, home.” Sorrow gathers in Penelope’s eyes, with tears fall like an omen. Telemachus longs for his father’s return, driving himself to chase off the brazen suitors who threaten to seize his legacy. With his father fighting his way home from the Trojan War, the historical record portrays Odysseus as a brutal warrior for whom slaughter, vengeance, and philandering were routine.
In the original Iliad written by the Greek poet Homer, Odysseus ventures back to his homeland, Ithaca, after winning the Trojan War. His return, ten years in the making, is fraught with encounters with mythical creatures like Cyclopes, witches, and Sirens, some of whom he elopes with and has children with. In the midst of this, Penelope, his wife, is waiting for his comeback, while suitors are preying for Odysseus’s throne. Accompanying him on his journey towards recovering his royal standing is Athena, the Greek goddess of war.
When he finally arrives home, on the advice of Athena, he disguises himself as a beggar. The suitors believed Odysseus to be dead and have taken over his palace, and so the true king later slaughters them all with his son Telemachus. The rightful king, upon discovering the infidelity of his twelve maids during his absence, enacted harsh retribution. Odysseus orders them to clean all the blood from the palace’s halls, and then executes them by means of hanging, one by one.
Yet, despite his noble standing, the fury of the parents whose sons had perished precipitated another bloodbath. With Athena’s intervention, a truce is forged. Neoptolemus, serving as judge, spared Odysseus but decreed he must leave Ithaca for another decade. During this time, Telemachus would ascend to the throne and receive compensation for the damages caused by the suitors while Odysseus is in exile. Again.
In an interview with the Australian, the filmmaker Christopher Nolan said that the movie will foretell a story about family. The trailer however, seems to dramatize the historical plot, making us question accuracy of the script.
Whenever Nolan sets out to produce a movie, substantial budgets are at stake. His most recent upcoming historical drama and fantasy motion picture, The Odyssey, is the first film in the history of filmmaking to be shot entirely on IMAX cameras. According to sources, the film secured approximately $250 million in funding, making it the costliest Nolan production after Oppenheimer.
The mastermind behind Dark Knight Triology and Interstellar, Nolan admits to the importance of authenticity in his work. “We wanted the film to feel like a recognisable world to people even though it was going to be ancient Greece,” the filmmaker said.
But what better way to deliver that realness than through the experience of a powerful musical score?
The objective for Ludwig Göransson, Swedish musician, composer, and record producer, was to adjust viewers’ experience and make them traverse through ancient times by way of originality. Specific in his vision, for this movie Nolan decided to avoid orchestra motifs and sounds audiences are already familiar with. “The first conversation we had was Chris telling me that he wanted something completely unique for this film,” Goransson said, adding that the filmmaker noted his particular interest in aulos and lyre.
The production of the musical score went even further. As replicas were made for the musicians, Rosa Fragorapti, playing lyre, explained that “to be able to play it in a philological way, we had to research iconography, philological sources, and our own experience as musicians.” Fans can already pre-order the original motion picture soundtrack.
“THE CONSEQUENCES OF US NOT VALUING PEACE IS SOMETHING WE ALL NEED TO BE COLLECTIVELY WORKING TOWARDS TO MAINTAIN”
Anne Hathaway
Poised to land in cinemas on 17July, whether by coincidence or not, the date of this theatrical release coincides with the World Day of International Justice. “I just walked away from the film with a real connection to the preciousness of peace. And what the consequences of us not valuing peace is something we all need to be collectively working towards to maintain. And what the costs are…the costs are to the human. The cost to civilisation,” said Anne Hathaway, sharing her sentiment about Nolan’s work.
For the movie premiere in London, Anne Hathaway wore a custom, strapless baby-blue gown by Dior.
TO YOUR RIGHT/ABOVE FOR MOBILE VERSION: LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Anne Hathaway attends ‘The Odyssey’ London Premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 06, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)
Goddess meets mortals
With costume designers sourcing garments that echo the textures and silhouettes of antiquity, the film’s premiere in London felt like ancient Greece reimagined as haute couture.
For Zendaya, starring as Athena, the dress with “a moulded bustier and mirrored fringes embroidered with a white-to-mirror sfumato gradient”, as described by Schiaparelli fashion house, was delivered by a private jet. On the day of the London Odyssey premiere this Monday, Zendaya’s stylist Law Roach asked its creator, Daniel Roseberry, whether the straight off the runway look shown in the Fall Winter 2026/27 Haute Couture collection that same day, could be worn by the actress. The dress cascaded onto Zendaya, settling as though destined for her.
TO YOUR LEFT/ABOVE FOR MOBILE VERSION: Zendaya, The Odyssey Movie Premiere, London, Courtesy of Giulia Parmigiani for Universal Pictures, 2026.
— Big CHARP energy —
Charlize Theron, draped in a luxurious black halter velvet dress by Givenchy, joined the red carpet. The haute-couture creation, with its striking bow-spine and elegant peplum, perfectly embodied the treacherous dual nature of the sea nymph, Calypso. The actress described her character as “binary,” emphasising the transformative nature of her “duality,” a trait historical records show as both benevolent and malevolent in Calypso. She added, that working with Nolan was a “safe” experience, and praised him for being a figure of unwavering decisiveness.
TO YOUR RIGHT/ABOVE FOR MOBILE VERSION: The Odyssey Movie Premiere, London, Courtesy of Giulia Parmigiani for Universal Pictures.
Beyond the glitter of the red carpet, nothing captivates more than the locations Nolan claimed for this epic saga. Keen to stay true to an authentic experience, the staggering fact is the level of archaeological precision the filmmaker chose to pursue when mapping the production itinerary for The Odyssey.
It is hard to convey sacrosanct sets that feel natural, but this film makes them too real. And if you are still feeling indecisive about your next great summer expedition, here are a few European destinations to consider.
Anchors away, sailor!
Taking the notch up, the nearly three‑hour film features the world’s largest Viking ship built in the modern era.
The Draken Harald Hårfagre, updated for historical accuracy, is a complex replica designed to withstand severe weather.
TO YOUR RIGHT/ABOVE FOR MOBILE VERSION: Courtesy of Viking Nilsson for Viking Kings AS.
And the best part is…?
Carrying the label of a living experiment in experiential archaeology, it also invites aspiring and daring sailors to partake in its voyages when the filmmaking is not in progress.
TO YOUR LEFT/ABOVE FOR MOBILE VERSION: Courtesy of Peder Jacobsson for Viking Kings AS.
Castello Di Santa Caterina, Island of Favignana, Italy
This hilltop fort is the pinnacle of Favigana islands in Sicily. Historical accounts state that it was originally built in the early Middle Ages by the Saracens, an ancient Arab tribe, after they had taken control from Romans. This fortress also stationed prisoners between 18th and 19th centuries for over a hundred years.
TO YOUR LEFT/ABOVE FOR MOBILE VERSION: Courtesy of Dreamstime.
Methoni Castle, Greece
One of the largest castles in the Mediterranean, this dilapidated fortification was constructed by Venetians in the early 13th century. With the sea safeguarding it on three sides, it sheltered the Ottomans and subsequently the French during their Morea Expedition to free Greece from Ottoman and Egyptian occupation.
TO YOUR LEFT/ABOVE FOR MOBILE VERSION: Courtesy of Valentinos Loucaides
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Dubbed Europe’s deadliest beach, the waves that roll over the cooled lava sand are as charming as a sirens call. And if you are aware of mythology, they would often trick sailors to their death. A two-and-a-half-hour drive from Reykjavik leads to a location where vigilance against sneaker waves is advised, as they have tragically resulted in 13 deaths since 2013.
TO YOUR LEFT/ABOVE FOR MOBILE VERSION: Courtesy of ArtHouse Studio
