Emily Wilson, the classical scholar whose 2017 translation of Homer’s epic poem was a major inspiration for Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster film adaptation, has published a blistering critique of the director’s The Odyssey in the London Review of Books.
The University of Pennsylvania professor of classical studies accused the film of having “nothing convincing to say,” lambasting it for its absence of “psychological, emotional, political and ethical depth.”
Mr Nolan had praised Ms Wilson during his promotional tour, telling Empire magazine that the famous opening line of her translation, “Tell me about a complicated man”, served as a guiding principle for shaping Matt Damon’s portrayal of Odysseus.
In her review, Ms Wilson wrote that she had hoped Mr Nolan’s engagement with Homeric themes “might push him to new creative heights, and enable him to conjure more believable characters.”
Christopher Nolan credited Ms Wilson’s acclaimed Homer translation with helping shape Matt Damon’s portrayal of Odysseus
| GETTY
Instead, she found the film displayed “his usual combination of grandiosity and superficiality,” with a vision “too confused” and characters “too underdeveloped” to deliver on its intellectual ambitions.
However, she conceded it excels at “conveying big bangs and big giants.”
Ms Wilson described the narrative structure as “gimmicky” and the screenplay as “abysmal,” noting that no character possesses believable motivation.
Emily Wilson, the classical scholar whose 2017 translation of Homer’s epic poem was a major inspiration for Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster film adaptation, has published a blistering critique of the director’s The Odyssey in the London Review of Books.
The University of Pennsylvania professor of classical studies accused the film of having “nothing convincing to say,” lambasting it for its absence of “psychological, emotional, political and ethical depth.”
Mr Nolan had praised Ms Wilson during his promotional tour, telling Empire magazine that the famous opening line of her translation, “Tell me about a complicated man”, served as a guiding principle for shaping Matt Damon’s portrayal of Odysseus.
In her review, Ms Wilson wrote that she had hoped Mr Nolan’s engagement with Homeric themes “might push him to new creative heights, and enable him to conjure more believable characters.”
Christopher Nolan credited Ms Wilson’s acclaimed Homer translation with helping shape Matt Damon’s portrayal of Odysseus
| GETTYInstead, she found the film displayed “his usual combination of grandiosity and superficiality,” with a vision “too confused” and characters “too underdeveloped” to deliver on its intellectual ambitions.
However, she conceded it excels at “conveying big bangs and big giants.”
Ms Wilson described the narrative structure as “gimmicky” and the screenplay as “abysmal,” noting that no character possesses believable motivation.
“I would be ashamed to have written any part of this script,” she said.
Despite the academic’s criticism, The Odyssey has become one of 2026’s biggest box office successes
| UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
Despite her withering assessment, Ms Wilson acknowledged that the film’s release remains a cause for celebration.
“This epic is bringing audiences back to cinemas,” she said in an interview with the Sunday Times.
She added that “translations of Odyssey, including mine, are flying off the shelves.”
She also expressed hope that the cultural moment generated by Mr Nolan’s adaptation might have a practical benefit for the humanities, suggesting “perhaps the film will persuade a few college administrators not to cut their literature, language and history departments.”
It is a notably generous concession from a critic who found so little to admire in the finished product.
Many cinemagoers appear to disagree with Ms Wilson’s verdict.
The Odyssey secured an “A” CinemaScore from audiences during its opening weekend, signalling broad approval from those who paid to see it.
The film has rapidly become one of 2026’s largest commercial hits, pulling in $90 million (£67.7 million) at the domestic box office in its second weekend alone.
Emily Wilson has delivered a blistering review of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey despite previously inspiring the director’s adaptation
| X / EMILY WILSON
Ms Wilson’s remarks come amid months of fierce debate surrounding The Odyssey, which became one of the most divisive films of the year, long before its release.
Mr Nolan’s adaptation sparked online boycott campaigns and accusations of “wokeness” over its inclusive casting, particularly the decision to cast Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy, while critics also questioned the lack of prominent Greek actors in the production.
Matt Damon stars as Odysseus in Christopher Nolan’s epic adaptation of Homer’s classic poem
| UNIVERSAL STUDIOSOther debated points included the use of contemporary dialogue, American accents and the film’s reliance on Ms Wilson’s acclaimed 2017 translation, alongside criticism from history enthusiasts over perceived Bronze Age inaccuracies in the costumes and ships.
Separately, the production also faced ethical criticism over filming in the disputed territory of Western Sahara.
