O
King of Ithaca
Odysseus
A clever Greek commander trying to return home after the Trojan War.
ClearStory FILM GUIDE · 2026
The Odyssey (Christopher Nolan)
Remember the names. Understand the mythology. Avoid accidental spoilers.
What you need to know
After ten years fighting at Troy, Greek king Odysseus wants to sail home to Ithaca. His wife Penelope and son Telemachus have waited years for him, while men called suitors crowd their home and compete to take his place. The story follows the family at home and Odysseus’s dangerous voyage across the sea.
2 hours 52 minutesMythic adventure
OPTIONAL REFERENCECharacters, places and useful termsContains story details. Open after watching.
BEFORE YOU WATCH
13 peopleWho is that character?
P
Queen of Ithaca
Penelope
Odysseus’s wife and Telemachus’s mother. She has waited years for her husband to return.
T
Prince of Ithaca
Telemachus
The son of Odysseus and Penelope. He was a baby when his father left for war.
A
Goddess
Athena
The goddess of wisdom and strategy. She appears as a guide and a challenge to Odysseus.
AN
Suitor
Antinous
The boldest and most threatening man competing to marry Penelope and rule Ithaca.
E
Odysseus’s crew
Eurylochus
Odysseus’s second-in-command. He often questions whether the captain’s choices are safe.
C
Ogygia
Calypso
A nymph who lives on a remote island where Odysseus is held for a long time.
CI
Enchantress
Circe
A powerful woman encountered by Odysseus’s crew during their voyage.
PO
Cyclops
Polyphemus
A giant one-eyed shepherd whose cave becomes a deadly trap for the Greek sailors.
EU
Ithaca
Eumaeus
A loyal servant of Odysseus who looks after pigs and has not forgotten his absent king.
M
King of Sparta
Menelaus
A Greek king, husband of Helen and brother of Agamemnon. He fought alongside Odysseus at Troy.
AG
Greek commander
Agamemnon
Menelaus’s brother and the leading commander of the Greek forces during the Trojan War.
H
Queen of Sparta
Helen
Menelaus’s wife. Her departure for Troy was the event that began the Trojan War.
DURING THE FILM
Recap as you go
Choose only a scene you have completed. If you are unsure, wait until you finish watching.
The two threads to remember
At sea: Odysseus is trying to get home. In Ithaca: Penelope and Telemachus are trying to keep their family and kingdom safe.
AFTER WATCHING
Key story points
This section contains major spoilers, including the ending.
An unofficial, independently written viewing companion for Christopher Nolan’s 2026 film only. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Christopher Nolan, Universal Pictures or Syncopy. No official images, logos or film artwork are used.