Renowned translator Emily Wilson has sharply criticized Christopher Nolan's film adaptation of The Odyssey, calling the writing "abysmal" despite the movie's box office success.
In an article published in the London Review of Books, Wilson evaluated the cinematic effort as an uncomplicated audiovisual spectacle that fails to capture the emotional and thematic core of the ancient Greek epic.
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Wilson, whose celebrated translation was cited by Nolan as a major inspiration, offered initial praise for the film's pacing before addressing its narrative limitations.
She described the feature as "a family-friendly audiovisual spectacle, like an elaborate Fourth of July fireworks display – and with about the same level of narrative and emotional depth."
The scholar expressed deep disappointment, particularly noting her response to Nolan referencing the opening line of her translation.
"I would be ashamed to have written any part of this script," Wilson stated.
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Thematic and Structural Flaws
Addressing core thematic changes, Wilson argued that shifting Odysseus into a sympathetic figure fundamentally alters the ethical message of the original text.
"We are not shown that war or killing are bad, only that good men sometimes feel bad about it – a very different point," she explained.
Concluding her analysis, Wilson highlighted broader shortcomings, noting that the film "lacks psychological, emotional, political and ethical depth."
She added that "its narrative structure is gimmicky" and the writing "abysmal."
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Her review further criticized the movie's underdeveloped female characters, its loss of restraint, and the decision to film portions in Western Sahara amidst ongoing conflict affecting the Sahrawi people.
