Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, starring former EastEnders actor Himesh Patel, has been hailed as a "masterpiece" and "one of the best adaptations of all time" by viewers. The film, an adaptation of Homer's epic poem, has already broken records with its cinematic release.
Himesh Patel's role in The Odyssey
Himesh Patel, known for playing Tamwar Masood on EastEnders from 2007 to 2016, plays Eurylochus, Odysseus' trusted second-in-command. The character is fiercely loyal but also serves as Odysseus' conscience during their perilous journey home to Ithaca.
The film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, alongside an A-list cast including Zendaya, Tom Holland, and Robert Pattinson. Released on July 17, it is the first feature film shot entirely with IMAX cameras.
Box office success
The Odyssey earned $264.1 million (£196 million) worldwide in its opening weekend, surpassing the $249 million (£185 million) debut of The Dark Knight Rises (2012), which went on to become Nolan's highest-grossing film at over $1 billion.
Speaking to Radio Times, Patel said: "Everything I’ve done in the last seven to eight years has been beyond my wildest dreams, but this movie was such a singular experience. There is only one guy who makes movies like this."
Viewer reactions
On Rotten Tomatoes, one viewer called the film "phenomenal", while another added: "This is a cinematic masterpiece. Guaranteed Oscars sweep this year!" A third wrote: "Film. Of. The. Year. Possibly the decade." Another said: "Got to be one of the best adaptations of all time."
Since leaving EastEnders in 2016, Patel has appeared in Yesterday (2019), Tenet, and Don't Look Up.
