---
title: 'Chris Nolan Got The Odyssey WRONG'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=JxnKQPfRgu0'
video_id: 'JxnKQPfRgu0'
date: 2026-08-27
duration_sec: 105
channel: 'ScreenCrush'
---

# Chris Nolan Got The Odyssey WRONG

> Source: [Chris Nolan Got The Odyssey WRONG](https://youtube.com/watch?v=JxnKQPfRgu0)

## Summary

The video argues that Christopher Nolan's adaptation of The Odyssey fails to capture the essence of the original epic by omitting Odysseus's defining flaw: hubris. It contends that this omission not only simplifies the character but also erases the cultural and moral lessons central to ancient Greek society.

### Key Points

- **Split Opinions** [00:01] — Most people who have never read The Odyssey gave the movie great reviews, while those familiar with the epic found it lackluster.
- **Missing Hubris** [00:27] — Odysseus is known for his trickery and hubris, or excessive pride, a trait Nolan notably left out.
- **Erasing Flaws** [00:41] — Removing hubris erases Odysseus's flaws and makes him one-note, ignoring why The Odyssey was integral to understanding ancient Greek society.
- **Gods and Xenia** [01:08] — The concept of xenia (hospitality) and the idea that humans are not above the gods are fundamental to the epic, yet Odysseus spends the film denouncing the gods.
- **Stripping Identity** [01:35] — Cutting scenes like the Cyclops trickery strips Odysseus of his identity, which is dangerous for those who misunderstand one of the oldest epics.

## Transcript

the entire point of the epic by leaving out this one giant detail. Let me explain. Most of the split opinions on this movie really seem to boil down to Most people who have never read The Odyssey had really great reviews,
Odyssey found the movie really lackluster. The Odyssey is one of the oldest stories ever told with Odysseus himself being a character used as an archetype or a device in literature. He's known for his trickery and his
hubris or excessive pride, a trait Nolan notably left out of this rendition. His The Odyssey larger than life and not just another dull expedition story. His hubris is a lesson taught through punishments from the gods. By removing
these traits, this erases Odysseus' obvious flaws and quintessential gray Nolan's Odysseus a little bit more simple and one-note, but it completely ignores why The Odyssey was so integral in understanding ancient Greek society.
Now, sure, you could say, "Oh, Nolan made this movie for the modern era. There's no reason to know why this was important for antiquity." Okay. Well, if not, why is the idea of Zeus's law or the concept of xenia battered in
Greek society, it was thought that the people were not above the gods. The Iliad and The Odyssey are famous for being epics where the gods are pulling all the strings. The humility in praying to a higher being is fundamental, yet
Odysseus spends the entire film denouncing the gods. Athena is just a destroying and pillaging all of those cities. By cutting crucial scenes like his trickery with the Cyclops or his interactions with the gods, Nolan strips
Odysseus of being Odysseus. And this is especially dangerous to people who misunderstand one of the oldest epics in history.