How The Odyssey Continues To Be Important Today
In a way, you could say that this year’s holiday season is wrapped around the tales and stories of Greek mythology. The reason for this being couldn’t be more obvious as two upcoming projects have slowly, yet surely taken over everyone’s timelines.
One of these projects is the celebrated second season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, which is based on Rick Riordan’s second book in his modern retellings of the mythos. The other has every cinephile already booked and seated day one: Christopher Nolan’s grand undertaking of Homer’s Odyssey.
Both projects are only months apart from their impending releases. However, not only is it made clear that both are inspired by the iconic legend, but they also prove that The Odyssey’s themes are still important today and how it still has much to say about what we do. Though you might already have some idea how these two projects dig into those ideas respectively, the way that both Riordan and Nolan approach these ideas shows two sides of the same coin.
Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey Film Will Cinematically Realize What Willpower Looks Like
It should come to no surprise that Nolan’s mastery of the craft is able to heighten the true extremities of any story. Whether it be showcasing the hardened willpower of brotherhood in Dunkirk to the philosophical fallout of Oppenheimer, Nolan highlights the psychological and emotional elements of his subjects with respect. However, with Nolan approaching a more fantastical narrative than his previous films, Nolan is given much room for his own interpretation.
The biggest theme of Homer’s Odyssey that Nolan’s film will likely explore is vengeance, which acts as a catalyst for many other themes of this story. Throughout the original poem, Odysseus’s vengeance to protect his household through trial and triumph is key in understanding the complexities of loyalty to oneself and others. This is driven home through the brief teaser audiences saw before Jurassic World Rebirth.
The original teaser saw Matt Damon’s Odysseus drifting at sea while Tom Holland’s Telemachus looks for his father. However, Jon Bernthal’s Agamemnon only recounts the rumors he’s heard after previously seeing Odysseus during the Trojan War. There’s not much to go off of, but given Nolan’s approach to thematic filmmaking, the lingering on Odysseus’s perseverance can show audiences the importance of willpower despite all odds.
Two important scenes that Nolan can really highlight these big ideas include Odysseus’s encounters with the story’s biggest threats: Polyphemus and Calypso. Both characters have their own dealings with Odysseus, with Polyphemus being more physical and imposing while Calypso’s more deceptively lustful plans keep the hero trapped.
These two scenes can be exemplified under Nolan’s direction, perhaps through similar techniques that he implemented during moments of deep characterization in Oppenheimer. In the same way that Nolan captured the post-detonation fears of the scientist, Odysseus’s desperation to return to his family in those scenes could drive home what it means to stay true through such visual perspectives.
Percy Jackson Season 2 Re-Imagines “Mind Over Matter” For Today’s Generation
Though Nolan’s adaptation is much more psychologically driven, Riordan’s exploration of the Odyssey’s narrative is modernized for those curious to get into the world of Greek mythology. This has been greatly accomplished through the quests of the son of Poesidon, Percy Jackson, and his allies, Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena, and Grover Underwood, Percy’s satyr friend.
Those who watched Percy Jackson Season 1 last year got acclimated to the Riordanverse and the role that the Olympians play in the grand scheme to stop Kronos from destroying Olympus. However, Season 2, which is based on Riordan’s second book, The Sea of Monsters, continues exploring that idea of willpower, both physically and mentally,
To say that Percy Jackson Season 2’s narrative is inspired by the Odyssey is an understatement. Not only does it incorporate the same elements from the poem, including Polyphemus, Circe, the Sirens, and Calypso (though fans know where she goes in the books), but the development that Percy and his allies have relies on that idea of steadfastness and perseverance that’s emphasized in the original story.
The idea of steadfastness is explored in that dynamic that Percy and his friendly rival, Clarisse, share on their journey. While Percy stays true to saving his friend Grover, who’s trying not to die by Polyphemus’s hand, Clarisse is passionately determined to get the job done with or without her allies. At her core, she wants to get that approval from her father, Ares, like any of his other kids.
When this ultimately culminates in the eventual confrontation between Percy, his friends, and Polyphemus, it’s why Clarisse gets caught in the first place. The actions that both of these characters take when it comes to Riordan’s discussion about “mind over matter” nails home the importance of staying the right course.
This also shows in one of the most harrowing moments that Percy Jackson Season 2 will explore: Percy and Annabeth’s encounter with the Sirens. Here, Annabeth is caught in the Sirens’ song, seeing a perfect life with her, her former friend Luke, and her lost friend Thalia. Percy gathers up the strength to rescue Annabeth, presenting his best trait and fatal flaw: loyalty.
Just like the moment in Homer’s Odyssey, this test of willpower through what Percy and Annabeth envision is able to capture the enduring struggle between empathetic resilience and individualistic courage. Furthermore, this doesn’t even begin to cover Luke’s quest for personal vengeance, much like Odysseus’s own (but on a much higher level!)
Christopher Nolan and Rick Riordan’s Odyssey Interpretations Are What We Need
Despite how both creators tackle Homer’s Odyssey story, this tale as old as time still proves to have a universal appeal. Not only does its grand narrative still prove to be emotionally captivating, but such projects show that such modernized perspectives can fully explore the original ideas of Homer in the end.
Though Homer’s Odyssey still holds great importance, there are so many other stories within Greek mythology that continue to be relevant today as well. Whether that be the tale of Perseus, Achilles, or even Circe, the world of the Greek mythology continues to be rich as ever.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 premieres on December 10 on Disney+. Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey releases in theaters on July 17, 2026.
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.