Audience members are voicing strong complaints about the sound volume in the recently released film "The Odyssey," with some cinemas reportedly distributing earplugs to cope with the intense audio. Viewers have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction, citing issues ranging from ringing ears and migraines to an inability to comprehend dialogue over the film's soundtrack.
One social media user described the volume in a Dolby Cinema screening as "f****** insane," adding that "People were holding their ears and wearing earplugs just to get through it." This individual also reported experiencing a persistent migraine after the showing, stating, "That’s not immersive. That’s reckless."
Another viewer claimed the film's volume was so extreme that it felt like their "internal organs" were being "liquified." This user drew a comparison to a personal experience of an eardrum rupture, deeming the film's sound a more painful ordeal.
Beyond the sheer volume, a common complaint is the difficulty in discerning spoken words. "I've seen the odyssey three times now i still can't make out a f***** word the cyclops says," wrote one frustrated attendee. Some found that wearing earplugs improved the experience, allowing them to "still hear the dialogue and feel the bass."
One filmgoer measured the sound level at 104.6 decibels. According to the Hearing Health Foundation, exposure to sound at this level can cause permanent hearing damage in less than 15 minutes. The user noted that "a jackhammer or motorcycle revving its engine is 100 dB and can cause permanent hearing damage after 15 minutes," highlighting the potential risk given the film's nearly three-hour runtime.
Adding to the commentary, Professor Emily Wilson, a classicist whose 2017 translation of Homer's "The Odyssey" was cited by director Christopher Nolan, has also offered a critical assessment of the film. In a review for the London Review of Books, Professor Wilson described the script as "abysmal" and stated that the adaptation "has nothing convincing to say." She further criticized the film for lacking psychological, emotional, political, and ethical depth, and called its narrative structure "gimmicky." Professor Wilson also noted the absence of sex scenes and found the depiction of food unappealing.
Despite the audience and critical reception regarding the sound and script, "The Odyssey" has achieved significant box office success, grossing £450 million globally within its first two weekends of release. The film features a star-studded cast including Tom Holland as Telemachus and Matt Damon as Odysseus, with Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, and Robert Pattinson also in prominent roles.
