Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey debuts to acclaim as online backlash continues
A still from the film "Odyssey" / Universal
The whole world is buzzing about Christopher Nolan's new "Odyssey". But Belarusians cannot watch it yet — the premiere will take place a week later than in Europe and the US.
Meanwhile, "Odyssey" has already received stunning reviews from critics.
"An absolute triumph," writes The Guardian.
"A classic in every sense. Art that transports you to other worlds and a work of pure cinema," writes The New York Times.
A day after the premiere, "Odyssey" holds a 95% "fresh" rating from critics and 97% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. On IMDB the score stands at 8.3 out of 10, and on Letterboxd — 4.3 out of 10.
Interestingly, the rating is lower among users of the Russian platform Kinopoisk — 7.1. Although most users of that site have no opportunity to watch "Odyssey", as in Russia, just as in Belarus, the premiere will only take place on July 25.
The Controversy Surrounding the New "Odyssey"
Attention to "Odyssey" has been drawn not only because it is a new Christopher Nolan film. Even before the premiere, the picture sparked controversy over certain casting decisions. In particular, some users criticized the choice of dark-skinned actress Lupita Nyong'o for the role of Helen of Troy and the participation of Elliot Page in the role of Sinon. At the same time, social media posts frequently and incorrectly claimed that Page played Achilles, even though that character does not appear in "Odyssey" at all.
The costumes also became another source of debate. Some users criticized the dark armor of Agamemnon, while others felt that the clothing of Telemachus, played by Tom Holland, did not correspond to the historical era.
Some opponents of the film announced they had no intention of watching it and preemptively left low ratings on various film platforms. In response, other users pointed out that "Odyssey" is an adaptation of an ancient Greek epic featuring gods, cyclopes, and other mythological creatures, making demands for "historical accuracy" misguided.
