Christian Campbell, a 22-year-old film graduate from Atlanta, Georgia, traveled more than 4,000 miles to London to attend the midnight premiere of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey at the BFI IMAX near Waterloo Bridge. It was his first time leaving the United States, and he turned the trip into a holiday with his aunt Donna.
Global Fans Gather for IMAX 1570 Experience
Campbell was among a group of international fans, including Marco Garbely from Switzerland and his friends Julian Jäger and Gilbert Oggier, who flew into London hours before the screening. Rachana Mettem, a 26-year-old student, incorporated the screening into a tour of the UK and Ireland, having bought her ticket a year in advance. Walee Ahmed, a 26-year-old data analyst, wore a helmet to enhance the experience, having seen Nolan's Oppenheimer nine times.
The BFI IMAX is one of the few cinemas worldwide capable of showing The Odyssey in IMAX 1570, the highest-resolution film format. The film was shot entirely on custom 1570 cameras, each weighing 180 kg, with a soundproofing "blimp" developed by Nolan and IMAX to enable dialogue recording.
High Expectations and Critical Acclaim
Garbely, a 30-year-old healthcare worker, expressed initial nervousness before the review embargo lifted on Wednesday, but was reassured by the film's 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes (later settling at 96%). The Guardian called it a "god-tier" breathtaking epic in a five-star review. Garbely also voiced concerns about far-right criticism, including from Elon Musk, regarding Lupita Nyong'o's casting as Helen, calling it "forced" and noting the mythological nature of the story.
Jäger, 30, who works in finance, recalled the impact of Nolan's Inception on his childhood, while Garbely considered Oppenheimer Nolan's best work but hoped The Odyssey could surpass it. The trio had tickets for two consecutive nights to compare experiences.
Box Office Predictions and Sold-Out Screenings
Box office predictions suggest The Odyssey could earn $80–$100 million in its first weekend in North America alone, despite a $250 million budget. Screenings at BFI IMAX are sold out until early August, with some tickets listed on eBay for over £500.
Rachana Mettem noted the underrepresentation of actors of color in the press tour, specifically Himesh Patel, who plays a pivotal role. Forhad Alom, a 29-year-old civil servant, described Nolan as his "GOAT" and planned to see the film again on Friday. As the midnight screening began, the lobby fell silent after a year-long wait for many fans.
