❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).
The Odyssey ending explained: How does it differ from Homer's epic poem?
Christopher Nolan's version of the tale makes some intriguing changes – including a key scene involving Athena.
Universal Studios
- Patrick Cremona
Published: Monday, 20 July 2026 at 5:09 pm
Subscribe to Radio Times: 10 issues for £10
(**WARNING: Contains major spoilers for The Odyssey**)
Ad
Christopher Nolan's adaptation of The Odyssey finally arrived in UK cinemas over the weekend – and it's safe to say that for most film fans, the epic has lived up to all the pre-release hype.
Not only has the film scored incredibly well with critics – including receiving a five-star review from Radio Times – it's also already been a huge box office smash, making an incredible $264m in its opening weekend.
If you're one of the many, many people who has already watched the film, you might have a couple of questions about how Nolan chooses to end his version of the centuries-old tale – and specifically if he made any alterations from the original text.
Read on for everything you need to know.
Want to see this content?
This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.
Accept and continue
The Odyssey ending explained: How does it differ from Homer's epic poem?
In the film – as in the poem – the key climatic scenes involve events after Odysseus has returned home from his epic journey and presents himself to Penelope while disguised as a beggar.
She announces that she will marry anyone who is able to string Odysseus's bow and shoot an arrow through a row of axe heads and – after several of the suitors fail – the still-disguised Odysseus himself succeeds before revealing his true identity.
A massive brawl then breaks out, with Odysseus killing Polybus and Telemachus killing Melanthius, who had been trying to help Antinous escape. Finally, Odysseus kills Antinous and the rest of the suitors surrender.
At this point, Odysseus makes a crucial decision. Rather than return to his throne, Odysseus cedes power to Telemachus and announces that he and Penelope will be sailing away to live a more peaceful existence together in exile.
After reflecting on events both at war and on his long journey home, Odysseus aims to honour all the men who died under his command and hopes that time will help heal his errors, while believing that Telemachus will usher in a better future.
Although many of the events described above do also occur in the poem, the very ending itself is altered. In the text, there is a section where news of the slaying of the suitors spreads to the people of Ithaca and it appears that a mutiny could be at hand.
It then falls to Athena – with support from Zeus – to interject and put an end to the fighting amongst the Ithacans, while she also makes them forget the preceding events.
Meanwhile, instead of sailing away towards peace, Odysseus actually announces at the end of the poem that he plans to embark on several more raids to replace all the wealth which had been lost – a very different ending point for the character than the one seen in the film.
What happens with Athena in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey?
Matt Damon is Odysseus and Zendaya is Athena in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. Universal Studios
Throughout the film, we see the goddess Athena (played by Zendaya) appear to Odysseus at various points, acting as a confidante to him on his long journey home.
But one key scene involving the character at the end of the film, which sees the title character reflect on the Sacking of Troy, includes a pretty shocking moment that appears to show Athena as she is about to be beheaded by Odysseus's men, at the same time as a statue depicting her is destroyed.
So what is actually going on here? Well, it is important to note that the character we see being beheaded in this scene is not the actual Athena.
Rather, this appears to be a normal woman whose appearance the goddess takes on for her future appearances to Odysseus, one of many things that signifies the guilt that Nolan's version of the title character comes to feel for his deeds in Troy and beyond.
The Odyssey is now showing in UK cinemas.
Book your £10 seat for the first ever Radio Times Film Night and watch Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey with fellow film fans at Odeon Luxe Islington on Thursday 23 July 2026.
Ad
Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
Patrick CremonaSenior Film Writer
Patrick Cremona is the Senior Film Writer at Radio Times, and looks after all the latest film releases both in cinemas and on streaming. He has been with the website since October 2019, and in that time has interviewed a host of big name stars and reviewed a diverse range of movies.
Ad
Ad
Subscribe for £1 per week
Too much to watch this autumn? Let Radio Times magazine and app do the choosing, with expert picks across TV, streaming and film.
Loading...
Ad
Loading...