Professor Emily Wilson, a classicist from the University of Pennsylvania and translator of Homer's Odyssey, has publicly criticized Christopher Nolan's film adaptation of the epic. In a scathing review for the London Review of Books, Wilson described the script as 'abysmal' and stated she would be 'ashamed to have written any part of it.' She argued that the film lacks psychological, emotional, political, and ethical depth, and criticized its narrative structure as 'gimmicky.' Wilson also noted the absence of sex scenes and unappetizing food in the film, which she found problematic.
Despite her harsh critique, Wilson acknowledged the film's cultural impact, noting that it has brought audiences back to cinemas and sparked renewed interest in translations of the Odyssey, including her own. She praised Nolan's effort to engage the general public with literature and history, though she expressed disappointment in the film's execution. Wilson had previously been 'humbled' by Nolan's reference to her 2017 translation during the film's promotion, but she felt the director did not fully grasp the depth of the source material.
Nolan's adaptation has received mixed reviews, with some critics praising its visual spectacle while others echo Wilson's concerns about character development and narrative coherence. The film has been compared to Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy and Game of Thrones, with some suggesting it prioritizes spectacle over substance. Wilson's teenagers, however, enjoyed the film as a 'family-friendly audiovisual spectacle,' though she likened its narrative depth to a 'Fourth of July fireworks display.'
The film features Matt Damon as Odysseus and has been noted for including more female characters than typical Nolan films, though Wilson criticized their underdeveloped roles. Nolan has defended his adaptation, citing Wilson's translation as inspiration for his portrayal of Odysseus as a 'complicated man.'