![\"Matt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784142016_54_0x0.jpg\")
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Matt Damon in “The Odyssey.”<\/p>\n
Universal Studios\/Melinda Sue Gordon<\/p>\n
Christopher Nolan\u2019s The Odyssey, starring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland and Zendaya, is being showered with praise by Rotten Tomatoes critics.<\/p>\n
Written and directed by the Oppenheimer Oscar winner, The Odyssey plays in preview screenings starting Thursday afternoon before opening in theaters nationwide on Friday. Based on the epic poem by Homer, The Odyssey tracks Greek King of Ithaca Odysseus\u2019 (Matt Damon) harrowing, years-long journey home after the Trojan War to reunite with his wife, Queen Penelope (Anne Hathaway), and their son, Prince Telemachus (Tom Holland).<\/p>\n
Forbes\u2018The Odyssey\u2019 Opening Weekend Projections Are As High As $120 MillionBy Tim Lammers<\/a><\/p>\n The Odyssey \u2014 which has endured scrutiny over the past several months over such elements as the characters\u2019 American accents<\/a> and Nolan\u2019s casting choices<\/a> \u2014 also stars Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong\u2019o, Himesh Patel, Jon Bernthal, Elliot Page, John Leguizamo, Mia Goth, Benny Safdie, Corey Hawkins and the voice of Bill Irwin.<\/p>\n Pre-release box office projections<\/a> by Hollywood\u2019s trade publications cast a wide net for the opening weekend of the film, with estimated North American ticket sales as low as $80 million and as high as $120 million. Online reactions by journalists<\/a> posted last week were overwhelmingly positive, and it appears the first reviews for the film are following suit.<\/p>\n The review embargo for The Odyssey lifted on Wednesday at 12 p.m. ET\/9 a.m. PT, and so far The Odyssey has earned a 98% \u201cfresh\u201d critics\u2019 score on Rotten Tomatoes\u2019<\/a> Tomatometer based on 145 reviews. RT\u2019s Critics Consensus, Audience Summary and Popcornmeter score based on verified user ratings are still pending.<\/p>\n Note: This review summary will be updated as more reviews are posted on RT.<\/p>\n Forbes\u2018The Odyssey\u2019 First Reactions Hail Christopher Nolan\u2019s Epic AdaptationBy Tim Lammers<\/a>What Are Individual Critics Saying About \u2018The Odyssey\u2019?<\/p>\n Moira MacDonald of the Seattle Times is among the top critics on RT<\/a> who gives The Odyssey a \u201cfresh\u201d score, writing, \u201cIf you lean back and surrender yourself to this Odyssey, it\u2019s a remarkable journey, and Damon\u2019s performance finds some welcome transcendence at the end.\u201d<\/p>\n Anthony Breznican of Esquire Magazine is also high on The Odyssey, writing in his \u201cfresh\u201d RT review summary, \u201cThis film represents a team of masters, all working at the peak of their powers to breathe impressive new life into this 2,800-year-old tale.\u201d<\/p>\n ForbesHow Christopher Nolan Became The Biggest Movie Star In HollywoodBy Matt Craig<\/a><\/p>\n Radheyan Simonpillai of the Globe and Mail also deems the film \u201cfresh,\u201d writing on RT, \u201cThe Odyssey, which serves up awe-inspiring spectacle but is at its best when quietly contemplative, isn\u2019t merely an opportunistic follow-up to Oppenheimer. It\u2019s also a meaningful one.\u201d<\/p>\n Amy Nicholson of the Los Angeles Times also sings the praises of The Odyssey, writing in her \u201cfresh\u201d RT review summary, \u201cNolan refuses to tremble before the canon. Grabbing mighty scissors, he cuts and rejiggers Homer and a bit of Virgil to transform the classical texts into his type of tale: one fixated on memory, self-identity, destructive genius and the slippage of time.\u201d<\/p>\n Forbes\u2018Evil Dead Burn\u2019 Producer On Brutal (Spoiler) Scene That Was Trimmed To Get An R RatingBy Tim Lammers<\/a><\/p>\n Peter Bradshaw of the Guardian gives The Odyssey a perfect 5 of 5 critics\u2019 score, writing in his \u201cfresh\u201d take on RT, \u201cThis is a film with thrilling ambition, boldness, seriousness, generosity and flair. There are some broad-brush moments in the dialogue, yes, but even these are applied with a muscular flourish.\u201d<\/p>\n Guy Lodge of Variety is also high on The Odyssey. Lodge writes in his \u201cfresh\u201d RT review summary, \u201cThere\u2019s so much to feel here at a sensory level that the film gets away with its slightly aloof, soul-skirting chill; we leave it feeling that we\u2019ve been to hell and back, and exhilaratingly so.\u201d<\/p>\n David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter has some reservations about the film in his \u201cfresh\u201d RT review summary, writing, \u201cWhile The Odyssey is uneven, and no match for the sure-footedness and intellectual complexity of Oppenheimer, it\u2019s elevated by the blindingly charismatic ensemble.\u201d<\/p>\n Forbes\u2018Backrooms\u2019 Streaming Release Is Available After A24 Switches Up PVOD StrategyBy Tim Lammers<\/a><\/p>\n Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent also gives The Odyssey a perfect 5 out of 5 critics\u2019 score. Loughrey writes in her RT review summary, \u201cThis is a blockbuster of literally unprecedented scale. It is also Nolan\u2019s best work to date. It deserves to be the film that defines him.\u201d<\/p>\n Jake Coyle of The Associated Press is also among the chorus of \u201cfresh\u201d reviews of the film on RT, writing, \u201cThe essence of The Odyssey is here, and Odysseus\u2019 quest to live down his mistakes and uphold his convictions feels vibrant again. Nolan, you might say, is at home.\u201d<\/p>\n