Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for The Odyssey (2026)
Although Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey may not feature the influence of the gods as directly when compared to Homer’s original epic, there are still plenty of powerful beings and monsters featured throughout the major blockbuster. Additionally, excluding the gods arguably makes the conversation about the movie’s most powerful characters a lot more interesting.
Aside from Zendaya’s Athena, who’s arguably a manifestation within Odysseus’ own mind, none of the other Greek gods were cast or shown on screen. Nevertheless, their influence is still felt all the same. When Odysseus asks Athena why the gods don’t communicate in ways mortals can understand, her response perfectly highlights how the gods are depicted in Nolan’s latest movie: “Who doesn’t understand thunder? Fire? A child’s smile? A good harvest?”
In the absence of the gods on screen, it’s interesting to look at the characters and monsters who are shown on-screen to determine which one is the strongest. Keeping that in mind, here’s our ranking of the top six most powerful characters from Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.
6
Odysseus
Although Matt Damon’s Odysseus does not have magical abilities or monstrous strength, he’s arguably the most capable mortal in the entire movie. Using his intelligence and cunning, Odysseus possesses greater skill as both a leader and a warrior. Likewise, his true power culminates in The Odyssey’s third act, proving his worth as the only one able to string his bow, while also taking out all the suitors who’d overrun Ithaca in his decades-long absence.
Combined with all of his impressive feats and achievements dating back to the Trojan War, it shouldn’t come as a major surprise that Odysseus sits as the film’s most powerful living mortal.
5
Calypso
Despite her peaceful existence on the island of Ogygia, Charlize Theron’s Calypso is considerably more powerful than it may seem on the surface. A sorceress capable of manipulating mortals and granting them immortality, Theron’s Calypso also possesses the lotus flower petals Odysseus consumes during his seven years living with her, making him docile and fogging his memory. Had he chosen to stay, Calypso would have given the King of Ithaca eternal life to be with her forever.
As one of several supernatural beings encountered by Odysseus on his journey home, Calypso certainly deserves her spot in the top five most powerful characters in Nolan’s latest film.
4
The Laestrygonians
Encountering a hulking tribe of armored Laestrygonian giants, Odysseus and his men can do nothing but flee back to their boats in the face of their massive strength, shown flinging warriors as if they were rag dolls and knocking them aside with very little effort. By the time Odysseus and his surviving men make it back to the shore, only one ship manages to escape after the man-eating giants destroy all the others. In terms of physical strength and power, the Laestrygonians are easily at the top of the list.
3
Circe
Samantha Morton’s Circe is another sorceress with supernatural abilities, depicted as one of the most dangerous threats faced by Odysseus and his men on their journey home from Troy. Far more direct with her magic than Calypso, Circe transforms all of Odysseus’ men into pigs, claiming that their new forms are the soldiers’ true selves, with humanity being the true disguise.
Capable of transforming mortals into all sorts of animals, the time Nolan’s Odyssey spent on Circe’s island proves just how dangerous she is. She’s also shown using potions to manipulate their minds, and has key knowledge of the underworld and what Odysseus must do next on his journey home. As such, it’s this combination of magical power and knowledge that makes Circe one of the most formidable characters in the entire movie (as well as one of the movie’s most dynamic performances).
2
Scylla
Scylla is one of the most terrifying characters in Homer’s 3,000-year-old poem, and Nolan’s version does not hold back on what makes her so powerful. Unlike Calypso or Circe, Scylla doesn’t need magic or manipulation, instead being one of the most dangerous monsters in all of Greek mythology. Possessing multiple heads, with each one having rows of sharp teeth, Scylla lives in a narrow strait opposite the massive whirlpool Charybdis, forcing Odysseus and his crew to navigate between two nearly impossible threats.
Having to choose between losing his entire crew in the whirlpool or just six men, Odysseus chose Scylla, who immediately attacks their ship when they approach, pulling men off the boat one by one to be devoured. While her one disadvantage is being trapped in the strait waiting for sailors to get close enough, Scylla is easily one of the most powerful monsters in Nolan’s The Odyssey.
1
Polyphemus
The most powerful non-deity in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is arguably the massive Cyclops known as Polyphemus. Capable of preying upon Odysseus’ men as if they were no more than ants, Polyphemus is easily one of the greatest physical threats Odysseus encounters during his journey. However, there’s arguably a lasting supernatural component to the threat of the Cyclops as well.
When Odysseus and his crew become trapped inside Polyphemus’ cave seeking food, the Cyclops returns and traps them in his cave and begins eating the men one by one, completely unbothered by the insignificant newcomers to his home. However, Polyphemus does take more notice once the warriors attack and blind him in their efforts to escape. He cries out to his father Poseidon, demanding vengeance upon those who have harmed him.
In Homer’s epic, it was the Cyclops’ curse that led to all the following trials Odysseus and his men would face on the journey home to Ithaca, with Poseidon’s wrath having indeed been incurred. In Nolan’s The Odyssey, Odysseus’ men believe the very same curse has befallen them after facing the Cyclops, and it’s hard to disagree.
In a version of The Odyssey where Christopher Nolan has intentionally reduced the direct influence of the gods, the encounter with Polyphemus very much serves as the ultimate representation of the overwhelming supernatural threats and consequences facing Odysseus’ journey back to Ithaca.
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is now playing in theaters.
- Release Date
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July 15, 2026
- Runtime
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173 minutes
