Every era gets the ‘Odyssey’ it deserves

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Democracy Dies in Darkness

Here’s how to prepare your brain for Christopher Nolan’s new adaptation.

July 17, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. EDTYesterday at 6:00 a.m. EDT

Matt Damon as Odysseus in a scene from “The Odyssey.” (Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures/AP)

We can discuss later whether my education was merely eclectic or an utter catastrophe, but somehow, having successfully avoided the spoilers for nearly 3,000 years, I went into an early screening of “The Odyssey” with no idea of what it was about.

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The comments on the article largely focus on the quality of Monica Hesse's movie review of "The Odyssey." Many readers praise the review for its engaging writing style and personal touch, drawing comparisons to the work of Roger Ebert. However, some criticize Hesse for her lack... Show more

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