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The Odyssey scholar whose work inspired Christopher Nolan offers key criticisms of hit film
Greek translator Emily Wilson criticised Penelope's thinned-out role in the Nolan's take on the poem, as well as other elements.
Universal Pictures
- Molly Moss
Published: Tuesday, 21 July 2026 at 5:16 pm
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Greek translator Emily Wilson whose work reportedly inspired Christopher Nolan's take on The Odyssey has criticised some of the changes he made to the poem.
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The new movie, which is based on the ancient Greek epic poem by Homer, follows Odysseus’s decades-long voyage home to Ithaca in the aftermath of the Trojan war.
The film has proved to be a critical and commercial success, having drawn an impressive $264 million opening weekend global box office haul and a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
But Wilson, a professor of classical studies at the University of Pennsylvania, who is behind the 2017 translation of The Odyssey which Nolan reportedly cited as inspiration for his take on the poem, has questioned some of Nolan’s decisions.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Wilson questioned the absence on screen of Zeus and Poseidon as well as the “incoherent” messaging that condemns both war and physical cowardice.
Wilson also wasn’t a fan of Anne Hathaway’s Penelope, and criticised the thinned-out role, which she said endangered “any possibility of believing in this marriage”.
Anne Hathaway in The Odyssey. Universal Pictures
She also said that parts of the film, including the scenes with Odysseus' dog Argos "catered towards modern sentimentality".
Overall, she "had the sense that Christopher Nolan was trying to pack everything in while missing themes that were essential to the poem".
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However, she encouraged audiences to go and see the movie on the big screen.
“It was fun to be there with my kids. I didn’t feel it was pulling teeth to engage with it,” she said.
Read more:
- The Odyssey accuracy: How closely does Nolan’s adaptation stick to Homer’s epic?
- The Odyssey’s most horrific scene is also the best change to the "original"
The Odyssey is available to watch in cinemas now.
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.
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Authors
Molly MossTrends Writer
Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.
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