Nolans Odyssey: Breathtaking Epic Wins Early Praise

's The Odyssey has been met with huge praise in critics' first reactions after the global premiere in London on Monday.

Critics rushed to social media to hail Nolan's 13th feature as 'flawless filmmaking', with the praise also extending to the all-star cast led by .   

Universal Studios opted to skip the previews it typically holds for influencers, meaning the majority of the initial reactions on social media come from members of the press invited to the gala premiere in Leicester Square.   

Introducing the movie on Monday night, British filmmaker Nolan told the audience that holding the global premiere in London was 'a full circle moment' after growing up 'coming to see movies in Leicester Square' and 'dreaming of one day making a movie that would fill this screen.' 

He then issued a lighthearted warning to the crowd of critics, pointing out: 'You are the first in the world to see this film so be kind' 

Collider's Steven Weintraub led the effervescent posts, declaring the movie 'INCREDIBLE' and writing 'I'm really blown away by this film'.

'Everything from the flawless performances to the way Nolan embraces the supernatural is just perfect. If you can, SEE IT IN @IMAX 70mm. It's a jaw dropping experience.' 

The Hollywood Reporter's Aaron Couch singled out Nolan's surprising twist to horror, writing that he had 'been seeing his movies in theaters since Memento, and after 25 years, The Odyssey gives us a first: a fleshed out horror sequence directed by Christopher Nolan.'  

Los Angeles Times film editor Joshua Rothkopf gushed: 'THE ODYSSEY is staggering. Earthy, ghostly, weighty, touched by humor and grandeur alike. It's pure cinema. Obviously the story is about returning home, but in a larger sense, this is also a return home to the robustly entertaining action movies that cinema was invented to tell.'

Rothkopf also singled out Samantha Morton's performance as Circe, the goddess of Aeaea. 'People are not ready for how much Samantha Morton owns THE ODYSSEY — her scenes are simply incredible, witchy and wonderful,' he wrote. 

Morton reportedly received a standing ovation from the cast and crew on set after one pivotal scene, with a producer revealing of Nolan's reaction 'that's something we hadn't seen since Heath Ledger on The Dark Knight.'  

Time Out critic Phil de Semlyen also praised Morton in his social media review: 'Believe the hype(rbole): The Odyssey is that film,' he wrote on X. 'Dense but accessible, packed with career-best work from the stacked cast – Samantha Morton is extraordinary – it's a dizzying mix of craft and spectacle that's built to last.'

Indiewire’s Anne Thompson meanwhile predicted that Matt Damon could be in line for an Oscar whilst the film in general will be the one to beat in the 2027 awards season.

'My high expectations were met at Chris Nolan's stunningly mounted The Odyssey in IMAX 70 mm. Matt Damon could win Best Actor and a bevy of supporting thesps and noms will follow. The BP to beat.' Thompson posted on X. 

Indiewire chief film critic, David Ehrlich was less gushing in his praise though, writing: that whilst the film is 'obviously immense' it's 'too clunky to be S-tier Nolan.' before teasing 'the last act rewards the journey.'

Rotten Tomatoes’ critic Erik Davis posted a lengthy review calling the film 'an absolute triumph and a crowning cinematic achievement from one of the great filmmakers of our time.'

'It feels like everything Nolan has been working toward with IMAX has culminated here.'

Focusing on the 'stacked' cast, Davis singled out Robert Pattinson who 'absolutely stole the show for me.'

'He's so conniving, manipulative and endlessly entertaining to watch. Pattinson leans all the way into the character's villainy, and it results in one of my favorite performances of his.'

The Odyssey arrives in cinemas on July 17.