[Edaily Starin YUN GI BACK Reporter] Christopher Nolan has once again proven why movie theaters are essential. The film *The Martian* not only meets expectations but redefines them entirely. Unfolding on the screen are the texture of film—which no amount of digital advancement can replace—the overwhelming physicality of nature that cannot be replicated by computer graphics (CG) alone, and the power of cinema that allows viewers to experience all of this with their whole bodies within the space of a movie theater. This is not just a much-hyped feast; rather, it is a feast that should be recommended to even more people.

“The Odyssey” depicts the 10-year journey home of Odysseus (Matt Damon), the hero who led the Trojan War to victory, as he returns to his homeland of Ithaca. However, the film is more than just a simple adventure story. The story weaves together two parallel narratives—Odysseus’s journey home, during which he encounters gods, monsters, and fierce storms, and the story of his son Telemachus, who sets out to find his missing father and must confront the suitors threatening the kingdom—to form a single, grand epic.
Nolan maintains tension throughout by weaving together flashbacks and the present. While this narrative technique—nesting one story within another—could easily become convoluted, he masterfully weaves it together with meticulous editing and pacing. Throughout the nearly three-hour runtime, the audience never loses track of the story for a single moment. This directorial mastery—reimagining a familiar myth through the lens of modern blockbuster storytelling—once again proves why Nolan is regarded as one of the greatest storytellers of our time.
Above all, the highlight is the “experience.” Rather than the sensation of simply watching a movie, the feeling of sailing alongside Odysseus takes hold first. The vast oceans, cliffs, and massive battles captured by the IMAX film camera create an experience that pushes the audience into the space itself, rather than merely presenting a screen to “watch.” At one moment, you become a soldier hiding inside the Trojan Horse; at another, a sailor rowing alongside him on his ship. During the final battle at Ithaca, you are no longer a spectator watching from outside the frame, but a witness standing right there in the midst of the action. Nolan pulls the audience—who were once outside the camera—into the heart of the film.
From the beaches of Troy to the Cyclops’ cave, the mysterious islands where Calypso and Circe dwell, the land of the Laestrygonians, and finally Ithaca, the settings from the original story are brought to life on a majestic scale. The vast natural landscapes function not merely as backdrops but as characters in their own right, completing the film’s overwhelming atmosphere.
The captivating music is also a highlight. Ludwig Göransson actively utilized ancient instruments such as the aulos and lyre to restore the era’s atmosphere through sound. Breaking away from the familiar conventions of period drama music, he created a unique sonic world that makes it feel as though one is listening to an epic poem from thousands of years ago. “The Odyssey” is not just a film to be enjoyed with the eyes; it is a work that is fully realized through the ears as well.

Another strength is that even audiences unfamiliar with the original work can easily follow the story. Even if you haven’t read Homer’s *Odyssey*, the narrative unfolds naturally. Nolan translates the vast myth into the language of modern audiences without losing sight of the philosophy inherent in the original work. Most impressive of all is the deconstruction of the heroic epic. Rather than focusing on victory, he examines the scars left by war and the collapse of humanity; through Odysseus’s final repentance and the line, “Man has betrayed man,” he convincingly demonstrates why a classic from thousands of years ago remains relevant today. His stated reason—that he “wanted to present this story, which has never been realized in a modern blockbuster, in a new way”—comes across perfectly.
The actors’ performances are also flawless. Matt Damon convincingly portrays both the physical and emotional state of a hero exhausted after a long drift, carrying the entire film with a sense of gravitas. In particular, his restrained facial expressions during the moment he reunites with Penelope and the scene where he confronts his fallen comrades stand out as masterful moments that encapsulate the emotion running through the entire film.
Anne Hathaway gracefully portrays the strength and restraint of Penelope, who single-handedly protected her kingdom and family for twenty years, while Robert Pattinson brings Antinous—who covets the throne—to life with an overwhelming presence, driving the tension of the Ithaca narrative. Charlize Theron’s Calypso was an irreplaceable character who embodied mystery, seduction, and sorrow all at once, while Zendaya’s Athena and Lupita Nyong’o’s Helen and Clytemnestra also delivered performances so impressive that they made viewers forget the controversy surrounding their casting. Elliot Page also demonstrates a presence that makes it clear why Nolan chose him.
However, there are some disappointments. Tom Holland, who plays Telemachus, strives to express the complex emotions of growing from a boy into an adult, but his strong “Spider-Man” image remains, and there are quite a few moments where it hinders immersion. Additionally, the 172-minute runtime is certainly a burden. While the narrative maintains its intensity until the very end, one can’t help but wonder how it might have been different if there had been an intermission to give the audience a moment to catch their breath.
Nevertheless, *The Odyssey* is not the kind of movie that makes you keep glancing at your watch. It has the power to make even its long runtime feel like a journey in itself. After the movie ends, only one thought comes to mind: you absolutely must use the restroom before the screening. And the certainty that you made the right choice watching this film in the theater. Directed by Christopher Nolan. Runtime: 172 minutes. Released August 5. No post-credits scene.