Christopher Nolan wants to make his first real horror film since 'The Odyssey'„

Christopher Nolan is among the most influential directors of contemporary cinema. Over the past two decades, he has been behind some of the most successful and highly acclaimed productions, including Genesis, Interstellar, the trilogy The Black Knight and the Academy Awards winner Oppenheimer.

The director has already worked in almost every major film genre, from science fiction and superhero productions to historical dramas. His next major project is the fantasy epic „Odyssey“, whose world premiere is scheduled for July 17, 2026. The film was shot in several countries, with filming lasting a total of 91 days over a six-month period.

Although the production has not yet been released in theaters, Nolan is already considering his next project. In an interview with Fred Asquith, posted on his YouTube channel, the director admits that there is one genre he has yet to fully explore.

According to him, he has long dreamed of making a full-length horror film, as long as he comes across a story that truly inspires him.

„I would really like to make a horror film. But it all depends on the idea. I need to find a story that really captivates me, and so far I haven't found one. In a way, "Oppenheimer" is also a horror film. Its theme was extremely dark and heavy. In addition, the original text of "Odyssey" has strong horror elements, and I tried to use them as much as possible. I think this is a genre that is completely created for cinema. It directly affects emotions and allows the audience to feel everything that the characters are going through. This is the type of cinema that I like to make the most.“", Nolan shares.

The director admits that in adapting Homer's classic work, he placed serious emphasis on the darkest and scariest moments of the original story.

The trailers shown so far hint at encounters with mythological monsters, deadly curses, and the severe psychological trials that Odysseus endures during his ten-year journey home, all presented in an unusually realistic and tense visual style.

The first critical reactions also noted that „"Odyssey"“ has a tangible horror atmosphere – something atypical of Nolan's filmography to date. According to a publication by The Hollywood Reporter The film features the first fully developed scene of true horror in the director's career, marking an important creative milestone after more than 25 years behind the camera.

How strong this horror feeling will be, viewers will only know after the premiere of July 17, 2026. Universal Pictures is considering „"Odyssey"“ as its biggest film event of the year, and interest in the film is huge. Tickets for the IMAX screenings on the first weekend were sold out a full year before the official premiere.

One of the actors in the star-studded cast has already described the production as „"a true masterpiece"“, which will offer viewers something, "„like the world has never seen before“.

Expectations are „"Odyssey"“ to become the largest project in Christopher Nolan's career. According to unofficial information, the film's budget reaches around 250 million dollars, making it the most expensive production he has directed to date, surpassing even The Dark Knight: Resurgence.