About this episode

Mary and Charlotte critique Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Homer, focusing on character treatment and narrative choices.

Last week, Mary and Charlotte gave their instant verdict on Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey only hours after emerging from the premiere, dazzled somewhat by the proximity of so much A-list talent. A week later… they unleash their inner nerds to quibble with some of the decisions and omissions Nolan made in adapting Homer.  Their biggest gripe is the treatment of the female characters. Nausicaa and the ghost of Odysseus’ mother didn’t make the edit. Helen of Troy is robbed of agency and becomes a victim. The Gods are mostly cut and there’s even the implication that some of the more magical elements of the story might simply be a figment of the imagination resulting from too much lotus eating. Odysseus himself has become a bit of a goody two-shoes, only lying when he really has to and wracked by guilt of all the things he did at Troy, unlike Homer’s Odysseus who doesn’t think twice about ransacking innocent people.  It’s not all moan moan moan though. Who can disapprove of the enhanced role that Odysseus’ loyal dog Argus is given, complete with his own backstory, and the power of the canine performance? Give that dog an Oscar. Or better yet, a nice meaty bone.  Mary and…

People in this episode

Hosts: Mary, Charlotte

Topics covered

• film adaptation
• Homer
• female representation
• character analysis
• mythology
• critique

Keywords

• Christopher Nolan
• Odyssey
• Homer
• female characters
• film critique
• mythology
• Argus

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Homer, Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey

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• BONUS: Which Translation of the Odyssey should I read? · August 10, 2026 · 11 min

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