Emily Wilson Critiques Nolan's Film for Lacking Emotional Depth
WHO:
Rolling Stone Music - Elliot Page, actor
Variety - Emily Wilson, author of the 2017 translation of “The Odyssey”
Kottke - Emily Wilson
WHAT:
Rolling Stone Music - Elliot Page described Christopher Nolan’s script for "The Odyssey" as "so complex, so massive, and with this tremendous engine and heart."
Variety - Emily Wilson stated in an op-ed for The Atlantic that she would “be ashamed to have written any part of this script” regarding Nolan's adaptation of "The Odyssey."
IGN - Wilson criticized the film's interpretation of "Zeus' Law," arguing that it misrepresents the ancient Greek code of hospitality (xenia) and how it relates to the Trojan Horse.
IGN - Wilson described the film's portrayal of the Trojan Horse as the ultimate violation of Zeus' Law, suggesting that it misrepresents the moral implications of deception in the context of war.
Variety - Emily Wilson stated that Nolan's portrayal of the Trojan Horse in his adaptation of "The Odyssey" fails to capture the emotional and moral depth of Homer's epic poem.
Variety - Emily Wilson criticized Christopher Nolan's adaptation of “The Odyssey,” calling it “emotionally empty.”
Kottke - Wilson described Nolan's film as “visually stunning, emotionally empty” and stated, “Verbally, we are told that people matter; visually, we are shown that they do not.”
WHY:
Variety - Wilson emphasized the need for art that is truthful about the “necessity of compassion.”
(UPDATED August 6, 2026 11:22 UTC)
Elliot Page, the acclaimed actor, recently shared his thoughts on Christopher Nolan's script for the upcoming film "The Odyssey." He described it as "so complex, so massive, and with this tremendous engine and heart." Page's insights highlight the ambitious nature of the project, generating excitement among fans and film enthusiasts alike.
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(UPDATED August 6, 2026 05:05 UTC)
Emily Wilson has expressed her strong disapproval of Christopher Nolan's adaptation of "The Odyssey" in an op-ed for The Atlantic, stating she would feel ashamed to have contributed to the script. She criticized the film's interpretation of "Zeus' Law," claiming it misrepresents the ancient Greek code of hospitality, known as xenia, particularly in relation to the Trojan Horse. Wilson further described the film's depiction of the Trojan Horse as the ultimate violation of Zeus' Law, arguing that it distorts the moral implications of deception in wartime.
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(UPDATED August 5, 2026 23:53 UTC)
Emily Wilson has expressed her thoughts on Christopher Nolan's adaptation of "The Odyssey," specifically criticizing his portrayal of the Trojan Horse. She argues that it does not adequately capture the emotional and moral depth found in Homer's original epic poem. Wilson's comments highlight the challenges of translating such a complex narrative into a modern cinematic format.
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(UPDATED August 5, 2026 20:37 UTC)
Emily Wilson, the author of the acclaimed 2017 translation of “The Odyssey,” has criticized Christopher Nolan's adaptation of the classic tale, describing it as “emotionally empty.” She noted that while the film is “visually stunning,” it fails to convey the emotional depth of the story, stating, “Verbally, we are told that people matter; visually, we are shown that they do not.” Wilson emphasized the importance of creating art that reflects the “necessity of compassion” in storytelling.