The Odyssey is a 'colossal piece of cinema', critics say in rave reviews

Image source, Universal Studios Image caption, Matt Damon and Zendaya star in The Odyssey - Christopher Nolan's first film since Oppenheimer By Steven McIntosh Entertainment reporter Published 7 minutes ago The Odyssey, the latest film from Oscar-winning director Sir Christopher Nolan, has received rapturous reviews from critics. The film, adapted from Homer's epic ancient Greek poem, is Nolan's first since 2023's Oppenheimer, which won the Academy Award for best picture. The Telegraph described The Odyssey as the "film of the year", while Metro declared that the movie would "change cinema forever". The Times, meanwhile, described it as "a masterpiece in every way", and the Standard praised the film as a "colossal piece of cinema". The Odyssey, which will be released in the UK on Friday, stars Matt Damon, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron and Lupita Nyong'o. 'A real pinch-me moment': Tom Holland on his role in The Odyssey The strange history behind Scotland's 'Odyssey forest' Matt Damon seen in first full-length trailer for The Odyssey It follows Odysseus (Damon), the Greek king of Ithaca, on his long and perilous journey home from the Trojan War to rescue his wife and son (Hathaway and Holland). His fantastical journey sees him encounter mythical beings along the way. Meanwhile, the cruel antagonist Antinous has his eyes fixed on the queen while her husband is still away. Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The film's cast gathered in London's Leicester Square for its world premiere last week Variety's Guy Lodge said , external : "A genuinely grand, gutsy vision, The Odyssey thrills generously for the bulk of its near three-hour running time. "Every few minutes, it seems, it throws at its audience another mighty setpiece that, in almost any other summer studio spectacle, would be a climactic standout." There was further praise for the "staggering" set pieces from the Standard's Nick Howells , external , who said The Odyssey was a "far more astonishing experience" than Oppenheimer. In a five-star reivew, Metro's Tori Brazier said , external The Oddyssey was "a watershed moment for filmmaking". "It's somehow both the most Nolan-esque film I've seen, while being nothing like Oppenheimer, Inception or anything he's previously made," she said. Tom Holland praised for 'newfound maturity' The Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney cautioned , external that the film was somewhat "uneven", but praised the ensemble cast. "Damon is superb, going to dark places seldom if ever explored in his previous roles," he said. "Hathaway is a model of steely self-possession masking vulnerability; Pattinson bites into his character's villainy with gusto." Another critic, Deadline's Gregory Nussen , external , singled out Spider-Man star Holland. "His performance certainly seems tinged with the courageous naivety of Spider-Man, insisting on trying to influence those much more cunning and physically capable than he," he wrote. "Holla