In this second “Odysseason” panel, another group of classicists discuss Christopher Nolan’s new “Odyssey” film and the major changes made in his adaptation and what those changes enable, including: a traumatized, guilt-ridden Odysseus; the Aeneid-derived character Sinon reframed as Odysseus’s victim; an expanded, emotional focus on Argos and a merged Argos/Telemachus recognition scene. Panelists critique the film’s persistent visual and aural darkness, the diminished role of gods and humor, omissions like the Phaeacians and Penelope’s bed recognition, and Nolan’s war-movie/PTSD framing with parallels to Oppenheimer and Interstellar. They debate whether the Odyssey “belongs” to Greece, note Greek and Greek American reactions (including promotional and casting concerns), and consider scholarly responsibilities regarding political/ethical production issues. They emphasize using the film’s popularity to spur reading Homer, teaching critical reception, supporting new adaptations, and encouraging creative retellings, including Odyssey Day on Oct. 15.
Originally recorded August 14, 2026.
Panelists:
Dr. Melissa Funke (Prof of Classics, University of Winnipeg)
https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/classics/faculty/melissa-funke.html
Dr. Deb Trusty (Prof of Classics, University of Iowa)
https://interdisciplinaryprograms.uiowa.edu/people/debra-trusty
Dr. Justin Arft (Prof of Classics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville)
https://classics.utk.edu/people/justin-arft/
Dr. Rachel Lesser (Prof of Greek and Roman Studies, Gettysburg College)
Dr. Christie Vogler (Co-host of the Movies We Dig podcast)
https://shows.acast.com/movies-we-dig/about
Dr. Suzanne Lye (Prof of Classics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill)
https://classics.unc.edu/people-3/faculty-2-2/suzanne-lye/
Lexie Henning (University of Bristol Classics PhD student, host and moderator)
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/people/person/Lexie-Henning-771d72b2-fe81-48e0-94b1-a3135ee2a618/
Want more Odyssey material? Check out The Oxford Critical Guide to Homer’s Odyssey (which was edited by Joel Christensen): https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-oxford-critical-guide-to-homers-odyssey-9780198985099?cc=gb&lang=en&
Check out an article where Suzanne talks about the ancient concept of Xenia: https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a73170278/the-odyssey-movie-zeus-law-explained/
For more Homer content check out Justin’s book Arete which was mentioned in the episode: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/arete-and-the-odysseys-poetics-of-interrogation-9780192847805?cc=gb&lang=en&
Listen to the Movies We Dig Odyssey panel: https://shows.acast.com/movies-we-dig/episodes/the-odyssey-2026-reception-battle-part-1-with-joel-christens
Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday.
Want a transcript of the episode? Email us at theozymandiasprojectpodcast@gmail.com and we can provide one.
Ancient Office Hours is a proud member of Mnemosyne: The Memory Collective, a podcast network and creator collective for historians, archaeologists, artists, and other creators and educators dedicated to sharing content about and featuring the ancient world that is accurate, accessible, and inclusive. To learn more about the collective and its contributors, check out collectivemem.com.
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