Story perspectives

Nolan’s “The Odyssey” Rakes $90 M, Sparks Humanities Debate

7/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” earned $90 million in its second domestic weekend, got an “A” CinemaScore and became a top blockbuster.
Emily Wilson called the film gimmicky with abysmal writing, noted it has driven sales of Homer translations, and said Nolan used the opening line of her 2017 translation—“Tell me about a complicated man”—for Odysseus.
Wilson hopes the release will persuade college administrators not to cut literature, language and history departments.

1 of 1

Story summary

Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” earned $90 million in its second domestic weekend, got an “A” CinemaScore and became a top blockbuster.
Emily Wilson called the film gimmicky with abysmal writing, noted it has driven sales of Homer translations, and said Nolan used the opening line of her 2017 translation—“Tell me about a complicated man”—for Odysseus.
Wilson hopes the release will persuade college administrators not to cut literature, language and history departments.