Anne Hathaway's facial expressions in new 'Odyssey' trailer face scrutiny amid botox speculation

A newly released trailer for Christopher Nolan’s forthcoming film adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey has sparked widespread discussion online, with particular focus on a brief appearance by Anne Hathaway.

According to reports from X, viewers quickly centred their attention on a one-second moment featuring Hathaway, who portrays Penelope, Queen of Ithaca and wife of Odysseus, played by Matt Damon.

The reaction emerged within 24 hours of the teaser’s release, with many users commenting on her facial expressions during what appears to be an emotional scene.

Photo: Universal Pictures

“Fascinating how her eyebrows and forehead just don’t move,” one fan wrote on X. Another added, “Man, her acting’s REALLY trying to fight that Botox,” while a third commented, “They really need to ban actors that have had so much Botox injections their faces are frozen as stone.”

Some responses also took a more humorous tone, referencing the historical setting of the film. “They had Botox in Ancient Greece?” one user questioned. Another remarked, “I didn’t know they already had Botox back then, cool.”

Additional posts continued in a similar vein, with one stating, “I knew the Ancient Greeks had invented the medicine, the philosophy and theatre, among other stuff, but I had no idea that they also had invented Botox. Wow.”

However, not all reactions were critical. Some users defended Hathaway and called for a shift in focus. 

Others praised the casting, with one user writing, “Anne Hathaway as Penelope? That’s pure elegance. The queen of Ithaca has arrived,” while another added, “Anne Hathaway as Penelope looks absolutely epic already! Nolan’s Odyssey is gonna be legendary.”

The film, which also stars Zendaya, Tom Holland, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson and Charlize Theron, follows Odysseus’ journey home after the Trojan War.

The Odyssey is scheduled for release in cinemas on July 17.