The Odyssey vs. Forces of Nature: Homeward Bound
Aug 20, 2026 · 39 min · 12 segments
Two movies about heroes embarking on a treacherous journey back to the woman they love — it's The Odyssey vs. Forces of Nature.
- Speakers
- Emily HigginsHost
Aug 20, 2026 · 39 min · 12 segments
Two movies about heroes embarking on a treacherous journey back to the woman they love — it's The Odyssey vs. Forces of Nature.
After the Trojan War, Odysseus faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and Calypso along the way.
I played a pig in the stage version in class once, and I got to wear a pig nose and a toga.
And when I watched the movie, it was interesting because I was like, I don't remember the Trojan horse affecting him like this.
Emily Wilson, whose translation of The Odyssey was much more modernized and which Christopher Nolan cited as an inspiration on his take, said she wasn't thrilled with the film.
She told the Associated Press, "...I want to celebrate the fact that so many more people are aware of The Odyssey and were brought back to the poem, but at the same time I had the sense that Christopher Nolan was trying to pack everything in while missing the themes that were essential to the poem." And I mostly agree with that.
She called out how much Penelope was diminished, which I was really bummed by when I was watching.
Christopher Nolan's women are never the strongest parts of his films, unfortunately, and women line up to work with him because he is an incredible director.
And I think it's that idea of like, having a small part in a really big, cool movie.
You know, there's a scale to his films that women aren't afforded in their own works as well, unfortunately.
And I think it's like, well, you're mad at Nolan because other people don't get chances? No, but I just, you know, it's hard to watch it and be like, well, he only gets half this equation and he still gets this budget and these audiences.
After the Trojan War, Odysseus faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and Calypso along the way.
I played a pig in the stage version in class once, and I got to wear a pig nose and a toga.
And when I watched the movie, it was interesting because I was like, I don't remember the Trojan horse affecting him like this.
Emily Wilson, whose translation of The Odyssey was much more modernized and which Christopher Nolan cited as an inspiration on his take, said she wasn't thrilled with the film.
She told the Associated Press, "...I want to celebrate the fact that so many more people are aware of The Odyssey and were brought back to the poem, but at the same time I had the sense that Christopher Nolan was trying to pack everything in while missing the themes that were essential to the poem." And I mostly agree with that.
She called out how much Penelope was diminished, which I was really bummed by when I was watching.
Christopher Nolan's women are never the strongest parts of his films, unfortunately, and women line up to work with him because he is an incredible director.
And I think it's that idea of like, having a small part in a really big, cool movie.
You know, there's a scale to his films that women aren't afforded in their own works as well, unfortunately.
And I think it's like, well, you're mad at Nolan because other people don't get chances? No, but I just, you know, it's hard to watch it and be like, well, he only gets half this equation and he still gets this budget and these audiences.
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