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Nolan's “The Odyssey” Gives Morton's Circe First Standing Ovation

7/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Christopher Nolan released *The Odyssey* starring Samantha Morton as the witch Circe.
Nolan said Morton's turn changes the film’s dynamic and likened her to Ledger’s Joker.
Morton said she never read Homer’s poem, found the script modern, and sees Circe as “every woman.”
Producer Emma Thomas noted Morton's performance earned a standing ovation, the first for a Nolan cast since 2008.

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Story summary

Christopher Nolan released *The Odyssey* starring Samantha Morton as the witch Circe.
Nolan said Morton's turn changes the film’s dynamic and likened her to Ledger’s Joker.
Morton said she never read Homer’s poem, found the script modern, and sees Circe as “every woman.”
Producer Emma Thomas noted Morton's performance earned a standing ovation, the first for a Nolan cast since 2008.