The new trailer for Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" has sparked debate online, not about the epic battles or aesthetics, but about something much simpler: American accents and modern dialogue in a story set in ancient Greece.
The adaptation of Homer's poem, starring Matt Damon as Odysseus, was presented with a dark trailer, full of beards, cyclops and battle scenes. But the moment that has caused the most reactions is a sentence from the character Antinous, played by Robert Pattinson, to Telemachus, played by Tom Holland:
"You're pining for a daddy you didn't even know..."
The use of the word "daddy" in a Homeric epic has caused ridicule and disbelief on social media, while many commentators also criticize the fact that the characters speak with American accents and in a language that sounds more like modern Hollywood than ancient mythology.
"For a movie as big as The Odyssey, you'd think the dialogue would sound less modern," one Reddit user wrote. Others called the use of American accents "disturbing" and out of place in the atmosphere of ancient Greece.
However, some fans defend Nolan, suggesting that the choice may be intentional, to make the story more relatable to modern audiences.
The film is Nolan's first project after the success of "Oppenheimer," which brought him an Oscar, and is considered one of the most anticipated productions of 2026. It is also the first film shot entirely with IMAX cameras.
In an interview on Stephen Colbert's show, Nolan said that the Homeric epics are the precursors to modern superhero culture.
"Homer was the Marvel of his time," he said, comparing the legendary author to George Lucas.
"The Odyssey" is expected to be released in theaters on July 17, 2026. And yes, the internet still hasn't gotten over the trauma of "daddy."
