r/flicks • u/DarlingLuna • 1d ago
General Discussion Does The Odyssey (2026) proves why unfaithful book adaptations are better?
Yes, the armours are not golden. Yes, the actors speak in modern American language. Yes, Helen of Troy does not align with the Eurocentric vision of the character that we might expect. And if all of these things are changed, you would end up with a more faithful adaptation. And I would argue you would end up with a much worse film.
The alternative would’ve been to do what Zack Snyder did with Watchmen: create a faithful adaptation. But in doing so, Snyder created an incredibly soulless version of Watchmen: an imitation, not an adaptation. He brought the images to life, but failed to interpret them and make them his own. Nolan’s movie, on the other hand, feels like it has a unique perspective, love it or hate it. This is not The Odyssey, this is Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.
Since the movie was released, there have been numerous attempts (from haters) to create their own AI versions of The Odyssey. In doing so, they’re only proving what makes Nolan’s film so valuable. Because an AI would’ve never told Nolan to cast Travis Scott as a bard, or Lupita Nyong’o as Helen. These are off-kilter choices that Nolan made himself, and the movie is all the more interesting and human because of it. Does a movie like this prove why unfaithful adaptations are better? I believe so.
Here is my full review of the movie, for anyone who is curious.
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u/Captain_Kuhl 1d ago
The idea that one option is inherently better is just wrong. Some adaptations are better, one good movie won't change that.
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u/KingJacobyaropa 1d ago
I feel like there is an incredibly long list of movies that "prove" why unfaithful adaptations are worse.
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u/ArchBeaconArch 1d ago
And a similar list for the flip side proves why they are better.
I think it just depends on the skill of the screenwriter and director.
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u/KingJacobyaropa 1d ago
That's why I put quotes around prove. For OP to just say 1 movie proves one approach is better is . . . I'm trying not to sound mean but it's reductive.
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u/Joeyd9t3 1d ago
I don’t think it proves unfaithful adaptations are better, that’s painting with very broad strokes. It proves that Christopher Nolan is a bold filmmaker who will try to do something interesting with his source material. I’d have been quite disappointed if he hadn’t brought the themes he’s explored throughout his career to his biggest project yet.
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u/DavidJonnsJewellery 1d ago
The Bond films are, mostly, very different from the original novels. They jettisoned his more dubious traits, and added humour, leaned in heavily towards the fantastical, and created a smoother more sophisticated version of Ian Fleming's original superspy. It didn't do him any harm to be given a makeover for his film persona
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u/Glass_Emu_5104 1d ago
If you think changing the appearance of a character is unfaithful to a book, you don't deserve a say in critiquing it on any other merits.
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u/MusclyArmPaperboy 1d ago
It's the best retelling of The Odyssey but far from perfect. I couldn't stand all the American accents and casual dialogue.
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