Not Everyone Is Sold on ‘The Odyssey’: Here’s What the Negative Reviews Are Saying

Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ has received overwhelming praise from critics, earning a huge Rotten Tomatoes score and being called one of the filmmaker’s most ambitious projects ever. However, while most reviews have celebrated the epic adventure, not every critic has been completely convinced by Nolan’s latest blockbuster.

Among the small number of negative reviews is one from The Weekend Warrior on Substack. The outlet gave the film a 6/10 score, marking it as a “rotten” review on Rotten Tomatoes. While he acknowledged the scale and ambition of the movie, he argued that some technical and storytelling choices prevented the film from reaching its full potential.

One of the biggest complaints was the movie’s pacing. Despite the excitement surrounding a massive adaptation of Homer’s legendary story, he felt that the film sometimes struggled to maintain momentum. In his review, he wrote that “pacing problems, darkly lit scenes, and a muddy sound mix often makes The Odyssey too obtuse for its own good.”

The criticism focuses on the idea that the film’s huge scope may sometimes work against it. Nolan is known for creating complex stories that challenge audiences, but Douglas suggested that ‘The Odyssey’ occasionally becomes difficult to follow because of the way certain scenes are presented.

The review also took issue with the movie’s visual presentation. While many critics have praised Nolan’s decision to shoot the entire film using IMAX 70mm cameras, Douglas felt that the darker scenes and lighting choices made some parts of the movie harder to experience. For a film built around massive landscapes, mythical creatures, and large-scale action, he believed the visuals did not always deliver the clarity audiences might expect.

Sound was another major concern in the review. Nolan’s movies are often known for their powerful sound design, but Douglas felt the audio mix created problems rather than adding to the experience. According to his review, the combination of unclear dialogue and a heavy sound mix sometimes made the movie feel less accessible.

Despite these complaints, Douglas’ review does not dismiss the entire film. A 6/10 score suggests that he still sees value in Nolan’s latest project, but he believes the movie’s technical issues and storytelling choices hold it back from becoming a true masterpiece.

The reaction is interesting because it comes against the backdrop of almost universal praise from other critics. Reviews from outlets such as Next Best Picture, Screen Zealots, and FlickDirect have described ‘The Odyssey’ as a major cinematic achievement, praising its visuals, performances, and emotional impact.

With a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score from 101 reviews, the overwhelming critical response remains extremely positive. However, Douglas’ review shows that even a filmmaker as respected as Nolan can create a movie that divides some viewers.

As audiences begin seeing ‘The Odyssey’ for themselves, the conversation will likely continue over whether the film’s ambition makes up for its slower moments and technical choices. For some, Nolan may have delivered a modern epic. For others, the journey may be more challenging than rewarding.

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