Christopher Nolan’s films are renowned for their complex narratives that often demand multiple viewings to fully unravel. Works like Memento and Tenet are prime examples, leaving audiences piecing together timelines and plot intricacies. However, Nolan’s recent film, The Odyssey, presents a different kind of challenge.
While the plot itself is relatively linear and resolves without significant twists, a second watch reveals the true depth of its protagonist, Odysseus. Historically defined by his cunning, the film, starring Matt Damon as Odysseus, initially presents this intelligence in a less overt manner. It’s only upon revisiting the story that the deliberate planning behind Odysseus's seemingly improvisational solutions becomes apparent.
Consider the encounter with the Cyclops. On a first viewing, Odysseus’s escape from the giant’s cave, involving blinding the creature and disguising the remaining crew as sheep, can appear as a series of on-the-fly decisions. However, a second viewing highlights earlier dialogue that foreshadows this plan, revealing Odysseus’s mental preparation and resourcefulness as he assesses the cave’s contents for tools.
The perilous situation with the whirlpool, Charybdis, and the sea monster Scylla also benefits from a repeat viewing. While the initial viewing might suggest a chaotic, last-minute decision to navigate the narrow path over the whirlpool, a second watch clarifies Odysseus’s strategy. Faced with the certainty of death by sailing through the whirlpool, he subtly manipulates his distrustful crew into choosing the less fatal option of facing Scylla, who will claim six lives but spare the rest. This reverse psychology, a carefully orchestrated plan, saves Odysseus himself.
Beyond these specific instances, subtle elements in the film's latter half also gain new meaning after a complete viewing, including the performances of Zendaya as Athena and the underlying threat of the "Sea People."
For those who found these nuances hard to grasp on a single watch, the film's structure offers clues. Nolan's known penchant for creating experiences that reward repeat viewings likely plays a role. Additionally, the film's nearly three-hour runtime, pushing the limits of Nolan’s preferred 70mm IMAX format, necessitated significant footage trimming. This resulted in a tightly paced narrative where every line of dialogue serves a direct plot purpose, leaving little room for explicit exposition.
This accelerated pacing creates a thrilling, albeit sometimes challenging, viewing experience. Unlike Memento, which fundamentally requires multiple viewings to make sense, The Odyssey is comprehensible on the first watch. Yet, it is only through a second viewing that the full extent of Odysseus's intelligence and strategic planning—crucial elements for his survival and eventual return home—can be fully appreciated.
The Odyssey is currently in theaters.