Christopher Nolan’s film The Odyssey, set to release in 2026, has sparked debate following the teaser trailer release on July 1st, especially focusing on Jon Bernthal’s accent. The film adapts Homer’s epic tale set approximately 3200 years ago, depicting the aftermath of the Trojan War. Nolan, whose name now carries weight rivaling that of his stars, assembled a star-studded cast including Matt Damon as Odysseus. The teaser features Tom Holland’s Telemachus pressing Jon Bernthal’s character for information on his missing father, revealing Bernthal likely portrays King Menelaus, the Spartan king and Helen’s husband, though the possibility exists that he plays Nestor.
Fans have eagerly awaited Nolan’s take on this legendary story, with IMAX showings selling out nearly a year ahead. However, despite positive anticipation for the visuals and narrative tone, a common point of concern has been Bernthal’s distinctly modern American accent, which felt out of sync with the ancient Greek setting. This accent choice stood out especially because actors Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson, both English natives, also spoke with American-inflected dialects, though Bernthal’s delivery drew the most attention and critiques.
Balancing Historical Setting with Contemporary Speech Choices
There is no definitive rule on how actors should sound in historical films, and filmmakers often must choose between period-accurate accents, standardized forms, or stress natural performance. In many productions, actors use formal British accents to reflect seriousness and historical distance. Nolan’s Odyssey, however, set in 1200 BCE and featuring a global cast, adopts a different approach: nearly all characters speak with a modern, East Coast American tone, a deliberate artistic choice despite audience expectations.
Bernthal, known for roles with naturalistic speech rather than historical accent work, is not the main star of the movie—that distinction belongs to Matt Damon, who has previously worked with Nolan on Oppenheimer. Damon himself has had a mixed reputation for accent work in other films, with performances in The Great Wall, Invictus, and The Last Duel sparking confusion over vocal choices. This background suggests Nolan may have prioritized actor comfort and authenticity over strict historical dialect replication.
The Artistic and Practical Reasoning Behind the Accents
The Bronze Age Spartans and other characters in The Odyssey likely did not speak any language resembling modern English, and what their original speech sounded like remains unknowable. Stiff, formal accents often used in period films create a sense of temporal distance but may also impose an artificial barrier between contemporary audiences and the story. Nolan’s decision to use contemporary-style American accents may reflect a desire to make the narrative feel immediate and relatable rather than remote and archaic.
Given the challenges of accent coaching and the diversity within the cast, Nolan might be emphasizing emotional truth and clarity over linguistic strictness. This approach also helps avoid distracting the audience with inconsistent or strained accents, potentially offering a natural flow to performances. The distinct modern American inflection, particularly Bernthal’s, might initially jar viewers who expect a traditional historical epic, but it aligns with Nolan’s reputation for defying cinematic conventions.
Anticipation Builds as The Odyssey Approaches Release
Though the teaser presents little direct footage of Matt Damon as Odysseus, it effectively introduces a dynamic where Telemachus is driven to unravel the mystery of his father’s fate, with Menelaus (Bernthal) playing a crucial role. Fans’ early concerns about the accents may fade as the full narrative and character development come into view upon the film’s premiere on July 17, 2026. Christopher Nolan’s thoroughness and precision suggest the vocal choices are intentional and crafted to enhance the film’s impact.
By framing this ancient tale in modern speech, Nolan likely intends to bridge the gap between myth and present-day relevance, ensuring themes of heroism, family, and perseverance resonate with today’s viewers. This creative choice, while initially divisive, reinforces Nolan’s signature style of innovative storytelling grounded in both authenticity and imagination.
