Behind the Scenes of the Movie ‘The Odyssey’

Movies

Jul 17

Written By VS BRANDS

Plot Synopsis written by Michael Lee

*All Media used in this article is courtesy of Universal Pictures

Official Trailer: ‘The Odyssey’ (2026)

Video Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Plot Synopsis

After the fall of Troy, the legendary king of Ithaca, Odysseus, awakens on the secluded island of Ogygia alongside the nymph Calypso and the goddess Athena. His memories of the journey home are fractured, leaving him unable to remember why he never returned to his family. Back in Ithaca, his prolonged absence has thrown the kingdom into turmoil. A host of arrogant suitors, led by the ambitious nobleman Antinous, seek to marry Queen Penelope, seize the throne, and eliminate Odysseus' son and heir, Telemachus.

‘The Odyssey’ Featurette - “Completely in IMAX” | Video Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Nearly everyone believes Odysseus is dead, save for Penelope, Telemachus, the loyal swineherd Eumaeus, and the aging dog Argos. Mocked for remaining faithful to Zeus' sacred laws of hospitality, Telemachus decides to travel to Sparta with his father's old friend Mentor, hoping King Menelaus can shed light on Odysseus' fate. Learning of the journey through Penelope's unfaithful maid Melantho, Antinous secretly plots with the suitor Polybus to murder Telemachus before he can return home.

As his memories slowly return, Odysseus recalls the final days of the Trojan War. He masterminded the deception of the Trojan Horse, hiding Greek soldiers inside while Sinon posed as a deserter to lure the Trojans into bringing the horse within their walls. Although Sinon was killed, the plan succeeded, allowing the Greeks to sack Troy and reunite Menelaus with Helen. While Agamemnon and Menelaus sailed directly home, Odysseus chose a slower voyage under Athena's guidance. That decision led his men into disaster after disaster.

‘The Odyssey’ Featurette - “A Look Inside” | Video Courtesy of Universal Pictures

They were captured by the Cyclops Polyphemus, whom they escaped only after blinding him, unknowingly earning the wrath of his father, Poseidon. Driven off course by the sea god's vengeance, they next encountered the Laestrygonians, whose brutal attack destroyed much of their fleet. The surviving sailors sought refuge with the enchantress Circe, who transformed many of them into wild pigs. After confronting and defeating her, Odysseus forced Circe to restore his crew. She warned him that the only path back to Ithaca lay through Oceanus and into the realm of the dead.

In the Underworld, the prophet Tiresias foretells that only Odysseus will ever see Ithaca again. Refusing to accept the prophecy, Odysseus vows to save every one of his men. There he also encounters the spirits of Sinon, who reveals Antinous had manipulated him into serving at Troy in Odysseus' place, and Agamemnon, who recounts how his wife Clytemnestra murdered him upon his return as vengeance for sacrificing their daughter Iphigenia. Soon the countless spirits of Troy's fallen warriors rise against the Greeks, forcing Odysseus and his men to flee Hades.

‘The Odyssey’ Featurette - “In Studio with Ludwig Göransson” | Video Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Meanwhile, Telemachus reaches Sparta, where Menelaus and Helen warmly receive him. Though they have no knowledge of Odysseus' fate, they honor his father by recounting stories of his courage and ingenuity, strengthening Telemachus' resolve to keep searching. Back in Ithaca, Antinous and Polybus continue terrorizing Eumaeus, slaughtering the livestock entrusted to his care.

‘The Odyssey’ Featurette - “The Fantastic Voyage” | Video Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Following Tiresias' instructions, Odysseus sails onward through some of the world's greatest horrors. His fleet narrowly survives Charybdis, escapes the monster Scylla, and resists the deadly song of the Sirens, though each trial costs him more ships and companions. At last they reach Thrinacia, where Odysseus warns the starving survivors never to touch the sacred cattle of Helios. Driven by desperation, however, his incompetent second-in-command Eurylochus convinces the men to slaughter and eat the cattle. Their sacrilege seals their doom. Poseidon unleashes a cataclysmic storm that destroys the remaining fleet, leaving Odysseus the sole survivor.

‘The Odyssey’ Featurette - “In Rehearsal with Tom Holland” | Video Courtesy of Universal Pictures

He washes ashore on Ogygia, where Calypso nurses him back to health using lotus flowers. She confesses that she kept him as her unwilling lover for seven years, unable to let go of the broken man she pitied. Eventually moved by his unending devotion to Penelope and his family, Calypso allows Odysseus to build a raft and helps him reconcile with the gods. Protected by divine favor, he finally reaches Ithaca.

Athena disguises Odysseus as an old beggar so he can move through the kingdom unnoticed. Reunited with Eumaeus, he learns of Antinous' plan to kill Telemachus. When Mentor is attacked while praying alongside the prince, Odysseus intervenes, concealing his identity under the false name "Sinon." Returning to the palace with Telemachus, Odysseus is recognized first by his faithful dog Argos, who joyfully greets his master before peacefully dying. Telemachus soon realizes the beggar is truly his father.

‘The Odyssey’ Featurette - “On the Set” | Video Courtesy of Universal Pictures

During a tense banquet with the suitors, the disguised Odysseus confides in Penelope, speaking of the crushing guilt he carries for the Trojan Horse, the innocent lives lost in Troy, and the desecration of Athena's temple after killing her priestess. Athena has haunted him ever since, appearing in the priestess' form to remind him of his sins. Believing Odysseus lost forever, Penelope announces she is finally prepared to choose a new husband, ordering the suitors to assemble the following evening. Secretly, Odysseus, Telemachus, and their loyal servants hide away the palace's weapons in preparation.

At the contest, Penelope declares she will marry whichever man can string Odysseus' legendary bow and fire an arrow cleanly through a row of axe heads. Every suitor fails. At last the disguised beggar effortlessly strings the bow and completes the impossible shot, revealing himself as the long-lost king of Ithaca.

A brutal battle erupts as Odysseus cuts down Polybus and most of the suitors. When Melantho's brother Melanthius reveals his treachery by attempting to arm Antinous, Telemachus kills him before Odysseus finally slays Antinous himself. The surviving suitors surrender, and Melantho is executed for betraying Penelope.

Though victorious, Odysseus is left gravely wounded. Resting in Penelope's arms, he realizes the years of war and suffering have taken too great a toll. Choosing peace over power, he abdicates the throne in favor of Telemachus. Together, Odysseus and Penelope leave Ithaca behind, setting out to find the quiet life that had eluded them for so long.