‘The Odyssey’ Translator Emily Wilson Slams Christoper Nolan’s ‘Abysmal’ Screenplay: ‘I Would Be Ashamed to Have Written Any Part of This Script’

Christopher Nolan recently cited Emily Wilson’s 2017 translation of The Odyssey as a core influence on his film adaptation of the Homeric epic. However, Wilson, a professor of classical studies at the University of Pennsylvania, has offered a starkly negative assessment of the final result. In a review for the London Review of Books, she labeled the screenplay abysmal and criticized the film for lacking the emotional and ethical depth present in the original poem.

Wilson specifically attacked the narrative structure as gimmicky and noted that the characters appear underdeveloped. She argued that the film fails to address complex themes like memory, war, and the intricate relationships between family members. Despite her harsh critique of the writing, Wilson acknowledged that the film might encourage a broader public interest in classical literature. She expressed hope that the renewed attention could help protect university literature and history departments from budget cuts.

While Wilson remains highly critical of the artistic execution, the film itself is performing strongly with general audiences. The production secured an A CinemaScore during its opening weekend and generated 90 million dollars at the domestic box office in its second week. The contrast between critical reception from classical scholars and commercial success highlights the different standards applied to big-budget adaptations of ancient texts.

Nolan previously credited Wilson’s translation for helping him shape the portrayal of his lead character. In contrast, Wilson’s public comments suggest a significant disconnect between her expectations for the project and the director’s final vision. She noted that while she finds the film's artistic merits lacking, the boost in reader interest for her own translation and other Homeric texts remains a tangible outcome of the film's release.