Tom Cruise declares Christopher Nolan's ‘The Odyssey’ worth another watch after early screening

Tom Cruise has added his voice to the growing praise surrounding Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, sharing an enthusiastic reaction after attending an advance screening of the filmmaker's latest epic ahead of its theatrical release.

The Mission: Impossible star took to social media to thank Nolan, producer Emma Thomas and the film's cast and crew after watching the adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek poem. Cruise also made it clear that one viewing would not be enough.

"Wow! To Chris, Emma, and ALL of your brilliant cast and crew. Thank you for an amazing night in a movie theater. I cannot wait to see it again!" Cruise wrote alongside a photograph of himself holding a cinema ticket outside an IMAX 70mm screening.

The Odyssey stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the legendary Greek king attempting to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. His perilous journey forms the centre of Homer's enduring epic, with the film following his determination to reunite with his wife Penelope, played by Anne Hathaway, and his son Telemachus, portrayed by Tom Holland.

The ensemble cast also includes Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Jon Bernthal, Elliot Page, Travis Scott and Charlize Theron, reflecting the large scale ambition of Nolan's latest production.

The film has already generated significant attention for its technical achievements. It became the first feature film shot entirely using IMAX 70mm film cameras, a decision that reinforces Nolan's long standing commitment to large format filmmaking and practical production techniques. The director has frequently argued that cinema audiences benefit from immersive theatrical presentations that cannot be replicated at home.

Cruise has built a similar reputation throughout his career. During the COVID 19 pandemic, he famously delayed the release of Top Gun: Maverick rather than moving the film directly to streaming platforms. That decision ultimately proved successful, with the sequel earning almost $1.5bn worldwide and becoming one of the biggest box office successes of the decade.

Director Steven Spielberg publicly praised Cruise following the success of Top Gun: Maverick, telling him that the film had helped preserve theatrical distribution during a difficult period for cinemas around the world.

Beyond supporting his own productions, Cruise has repeatedly used his platform to encourage audiences to watch other filmmakers' work. In recent years he has publicly recommended Nolan's Tenet and Oppenheimer, along with films including Sinners, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Twisters, F1: The Movie, The Running Man and Disclosure Day.

Cruise's latest endorsement arrives as The Odyssey enters cinemas with strong momentum. Early critical reviews have been highly positive, with reviewers praising Nolan's ambitious interpretation of Homer's classic tale, its performances and its technical craftsmanship.

While celebrating Nolan's latest achievement, Cruise is also preparing for the release of his own upcoming film, Digger. Directed by Alejandro G Iñárritu, the film features Cruise beneath extensive prosthetic make up in a dramatic physical transformation. The first trailer recently debuted, with the film scheduled to arrive in cinemas on October 2