Director Christopher Nolan is facing criticism from Gen Z audiences following the release of his latest film, "The Odyssey." A significant portion of viewers, particularly on platforms like TikTok, are accusing the Oscar-winning filmmaker of sexism due to his portrayal of female characters in the three-hour epic.
Critics argue that Nolan has reduced the depth of female characters compared to their depictions in Homer's original text. The goddess Athena, played by Zendaya, is a central point of contention. Viewers claim Nolan minimized her role to a "head-nodding side character," despite Athena being a key figure in Odysseus's journey home in the epic poem. In the film, Zendaya reportedly appears on screen for less than five minutes, while the character of Telemachus, Odysseus's son, played by Tom Holland, is given a more prominent part.
Further examples cited include the character of Calypso, portrayed by Charlize Theron, who is described as merely providing a "foil" for the lead male character. The film also reportedly omits Odysseus's year-long captivity with the sorceress Circe, a role played by Samantha Morton.
Online discussions highlight a broader critique of Nolan's work, with some TikTok videos amassing millions of views. These criticisms suggest a pattern in Nolan's filmography, with claims that many of his 13 feature-length films do not pass the "Bechdel Test"—a measure of female representation in film where two named female characters discuss something other than a man. Critics have labeled Nolan "the patriarchy's favourite movie director," asserting that he writes women as "objects of male consciousness" and fails to explore their "true essence" or their lives outside of male characters.
Angelica Bastien, a critic for Vulture magazine, was also cited as stating, "Writer-director Christopher Nolan's genius ends when a woman enters the frame."