Elon Musk has released his AI-generated alternative to Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, and the seven-minute episode has drawn widespread criticism from viewers and professional reviewers. The Tesla boss had spent much of the summer complaining about Nolan's critically acclaimed blockbuster before deciding to produce his own version using his AI platform Grok Imagine.
The result is seven minutes of digitally generated men looking serious on boats, which viewers have described as 'soulless slop', 'absolute s***', and 'garbage'. Musk had previously vowed to produce a 'historically accurate' adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic, taking issue with Nolan's casting choices, including the decision to cast Black actress Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy, which Musk used to accuse the director of prioritising diversity over artistic integrity.
Seven-Minute Episode Falls Short of Promises
Musk promised a full-length film before the end of the year that would remain 'true to the art of Homer'. Three months later, the first instalment has arrived, considerably shorter than advertised. Created in collaboration with London-based startup Wonder Studios and director Dev Walker, the episode follows Odysseus as he reluctantly joins the Greek forces heading into the Trojan War.
There is a dramatic departure from Ithaca, some fighting, lots of grim expressions and, eventually, a small wooden horse. But viewers say it feels lifeless and inhuman. One X user declared: 'Perfectly encapsulates Elon's taste. Absolute s***.' Another wrote: 'This was dogs***, video quality aside. Just soulless slop with no thought or anything.' A third added: 'Hard pass. AI will never replace the talent of actors, writers, directors and editors.'
Historical Accuracy Questioned
Others were amused by Musk's insistence on historical accuracy, given that the production apparently struggles to distinguish between different periods of European history. One viewer pointed to the inclusion of 'belt buckles, Medieval tunics and late Roman cloaks', alongside architecture that bore little resemblance to ancient Greece. 'This is the worst kind of slop,' they concluded.
Another criticised the absence of meaningful character development, writing: 'There isn't a single scene in this at all. No quiet conversations. No conversations at all that last for more than 30 seconds. Flat and dead with no intention.'
Professional Critics and Response
Professional critics have been similarly unforgiving. The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw awarded the production a solitary star, comparing its dramatic impact to watching a computer screensaver. A Telegraph reviewer described the experience as an assault on the eyeballs, criticising its grotesque visual inconsistencies.
The reception is especially awkward considering Nolan's version, starring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway and Tom Holland, has reportedly earned around $1.8 billion worldwide. Musk's alternative was reportedly produced in less than two weeks by a creative team of three, at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars.
Wonder Studios co-founder Xavier Collins has defended the project, explaining that the team was not instructed to produce an 'anti-woke' alternative to Nolan's film. Instead, he said the objective was to explore the capabilities and limitations of the technology. The team plans to take the criticism on board, including complaints about the pacing and inaccuracies in the design of the ships, with hopes that subsequent episodes will improve.
