Five Greek Myth-Inspired Films to Watch Before Nolan's The Odyssey

Christopher Nolan's film adaptation of Homer's The Odyssey is poised to hit theaters, but the influence of Greek mythology on filmmakers is a longstanding tradition, often unacknowledged. This overview showcases five films that reinterpret these ancient myths in innovative manners. Jean Renoir's 1958 satirical comedy, Picnic on the Grass, utilizes demigod figures like Pan to critique the shortcomings of enlightenment rationalism. Mai Zetterling's 1968 work, The Girls, features three actresses touring with Aristophanes' Lysistrata, reflecting on their societal roles; Simone de Beauvoir praised it as the finest film directed by a woman. Toshi Matsumoto's 1969 Funeral Parade of Roses reimagines Oedipus Rex within Tokyo's 1960s queer underground, with trans bar hostess Eddie as a modern Oedipus. Robert Eggers' 2019 film, The Lighthouse, presents a dark take on the Prometheus myth, focusing on two lighthouse keepers isolated in a remote setting. Finally, Alice Rohrwacher's 2023 La Chimera depicts grave robbers in rural Italy, with protagonist Arthur embodying Orpheus as he mourns his lost love.