Shots fired. Shots returned.
Without naming names, the ever-polite Christopher Nolan is sounding off on what he believes is a “fundamental flaw of film criticism” among amateur Siskels and Eberts.
“The criticism that’s often leveled at movies in general is, ‘Oh, the character has to be made sympathetic, so the character is manipulated in different ways or changed in different ways,'” the Oscar-winning filmmaker said on the Zhong Shu podcast. “And that’s a fundamental flaw of film criticism in a way, or storytelling criticism. Because to be able to identify the mechanism does not invalidate the mechanism.
“I’m thinking more of amateur criticism, because they feel they’ve identified the mechanism, they feel that it invalidates it,” he continued. “That can be true of certain elements, and film grammar, film language evolves with that. So when a trope becomes too familiar to an audience, then it has to be changed. But we do, as filmmakers, avail ourselves of that common language. We build on that understanding. Our audience has seen many films and they understand that language.”
Nolan’s pointed remarks come a week after a scathing, instantly viral review from classicist Emily Wilson, whose 2017 translation of The Odyssey was cited by Nolan as an influence of his. Wilson criticized the film’s character depth and narrative execution. “I would be ashamed to have written any part of this script,'” she wrote. “I had hoped that Nolan’s affinity with these Homeric themes might push him to new creative heights, and enable him to conjure more believable characters. But The Odyssey features his usual combination of grandiosity and superficiality.”
Her commentary polarized the internet, and elicited some high-powered pushback from literary circles.
“Rather than disagreeing with interpretations of Homer in a collegial manner, this person, who has benefited enormously from Nolan’s film, speaks in the crude language of MAGA folks attacking someone with ideas that differ from hers,” acclaimed author Joyce Carol Oates wrote on X. “One would expect a translator, of all people, beholden to a text, in service to a text, to be just a wee bit more thoughtful & respectful of others who are acting in good faith just as (she would claim) she is.”
Best-selling writer Susan Orlean, whose nonfiction book The Orchid Thief was give a meta overhaul in Charlie Kaufman’s Adaptation and knows all about Hollywood’s approach to bring written work to the screen, also weighed in. “I loved The Odyssey (saw it twice) and love any piece of art that gets people talking and reading and thinking,” she posted on Threads. “Emily Wilson is being a bit of a jerk.”
As Gold Derby noted last week, despite Wilson’s well-publicized pan, neither The Odyssey‘s ticket sales nor its awards prospects have suffered any headwinds. The film is closing on in $1 billion in global box office and is considered a lock among Gold Derby’s Oscar experts for nominations in Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and, yes, Best Adapted Screenplay.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
The Adventures of Cliff Booth
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
The Only Living Pickpocket in New York
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
Mother Mary
A24
52.
Madden
Amazon MGM
53.
Wuthering Heights
Warner Bros.
54.
The Devil Wears Prada 2
20th Century
55.
Hope
Neon
56.
The Weight
Vertical
57.
The Uprising
Focus
58.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 17: Fernando Meirelles attends the “Beast Race (Corrida dos Bichos)” premiere during 2026 SXSW Conference and Festival at The Paramount Theatre on March 17, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images)
Erika Goldring/Getty Images
59.
The Dog Stars
20th Century
60.
Harmonia
Bleecker Street
61.
PARK CITY, UTAH – JANUARY 26: Stephanie Ahn attends the 29th Annual SAGindie Filmmakers Luncheon at Sundance at Cafe Terigo on January 26, 2026 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Fred Hayes/Getty Images for SAGindie)
Fred Hayes/Getty Images
62.
Gail Daughtry
SPC
Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass
63.
Poetic License
Row K
64.
Ha-Chan
SPC
Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!
65.
The Get Out
Vertical
66.
The Wizard of the Kremlin
Vertical
The Wizard of the Kremlin
67.
Verity
Amazon MGM
68.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 10: Arthur Harari and Justine Triet, winners of Original Screenplay award for ‘Anatomy of Fall’ pose in the press room during the 96th Annual Academy Awards at Ovation Hollywood on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
69.
PARK CITY, UTAH – JANUARY 20: Anton Corbijn attends Stacy’s Roots to Rise Market at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT on January 20, 2023. (Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Stacy’s Pita Chips)
Presley Ann/Getty Images
70.
Forgotten Island
DreamWorks
71.
Bitter Christmas
Warner Bros.
72.
Brian Cox
Andrew Morales for Variety
73.
The Christophers
Neon
74.
Never After Dark
Magnolia
75.
Her Private Hell
Neon
76.
Couture
Vertical
77.
In the Hand of Dante
Netflix
1.
2.
Javier Ambrossi, Javier Calvo
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
Michael Showalter
Clint Spaulding
52.
Guy Nattiv
John Salangsang/Variety
53.
PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 13: Olivier Assayas attends the “Le Mage Du Kremlin” Premiere at Cinematheque Francaise on January 13, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurore Marechal/Getty Images)
Aurore Marechal/Getty Images
54.
Pedro Almodovar
Michael Buckner/Variety
55.
PARK CITY, UTAH – JANUARY 24: (L-R) Eleanor Wilson and Alex Huston Fischer attend the “Wicker” Premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at Eccles Center Theater on January 24, 2026 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
Alex Huston Fischer, Eleanor Wilson
56.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 18: Brian Duffield attends the No One Will Save You FYC Event at Linwood Dunn Theater in [Hollywood], California on May 18, 2024. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for 20th Century Studios)
Jesse Grant/Getty Images
57.
Ridley Scott
Stewart Cook/Variety
58.
PARK CITY, UTAH – JANUARY 25: (L-R) Julia Jones, Ethan Hawke, Padraic McKinley and Austin Amelio attend The Vulture Spot At The 2026 Sundance Film Festivalon January 25, 2026 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Vulture)
Robin Marchant/Getty Images
59.
Never After Dark
Magnolia
60.
Paul Greengrass
Maarten de Boer for Variety
61.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 10: Arthur Harari and Justine Triet, winners of Original Screenplay award for ‘Anatomy of Fall’ pose in the press room during the 96th Annual Academy Awards at Ovation Hollywood on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
62.
BERLIN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 17: Director Matt Johnson poses at the “BlackBerry” photocall during the 73rd Berlinale International Film Festival Berlin at Grand Hyatt Hotel on February 17, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Gerald Matzka/Getty Images)
Gerald Matzka/Getty Images
63.
PARK CITY, UTAH – JANUARY 20: Anton Corbijn attends Stacy’s Roots to Rise Market at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT on January 20, 2023. (Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Stacy’s Pita Chips)
Presley Ann/Getty Images
64.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 13: Boots Riley attends the Los Angeles premiere of Neon’s “I Love Boosters” at DGA Theater Complex on May 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
65.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 22: David Frankel attends “The Devil Wears Prada 2” European Premiere inside Leicester Square on April 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
66.
Steven Soderbergh
CHRIS CHEW/UPI/Newscom/The Mega Agency
67.
Taika Waititi photographed for the Variety Playback Podcast at the PMC Studio in Los Angeles.
Dan Doperalski for Variety
68.
LES ARCS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 14: Alice Winocour attends the Couture Photocall during Day Two of Les Arcs Film Festival on December 14, 2025 in Les Arcs, France. (Photo by Aurore Marechal/Getty Images)
Aurore Marechal/Getty Images
69.
PARK CITY, UTAH – JANUARY 27: Noah Segan attends “The Only Living Pickpocket In New York” Premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at Eccles Center Theater on January 27, 2026 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
70.
CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 17: Chuko Esiri and Arie Esiri during an interview and portrait session for “Clarissa” during the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival at CBeach on May 17, 2026 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
71.
Kent Jones
Michael Buckner/Variety
1.
2.
Javier Ambrossi, Javier Calvo
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
Michael Showalter
Clint Spaulding
52.
Guy Nattiv
John Salangsang/Variety
53.
PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 13: Olivier Assayas attends the “Le Mage Du Kremlin” Premiere at Cinematheque Francaise on January 13, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurore Marechal/Getty Images)
Aurore Marechal/Getty Images
54.
Pedro Almodovar
Michael Buckner/Variety
55.
PARK CITY, UTAH – JANUARY 24: (L-R) Eleanor Wilson and Alex Huston Fischer attend the “Wicker” Premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at Eccles Center Theater on January 24, 2026 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
Alex Huston Fischer, Eleanor Wilson
56.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 18: Brian Duffield attends the No One Will Save You FYC Event at Linwood Dunn Theater in [Hollywood], California on May 18, 2024. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for 20th Century Studios)
Jesse Grant/Getty Images
57.
Ridley Scott
Stewart Cook/Variety
58.
PARK CITY, UTAH – JANUARY 25: (L-R) Julia Jones, Ethan Hawke, Padraic McKinley and Austin Amelio attend The Vulture Spot At The 2026 Sundance Film Festivalon January 25, 2026 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Vulture)
Robin Marchant/Getty Images
59.
Never After Dark
Magnolia
60.
Paul Greengrass
Maarten de Boer for Variety
61.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 10: Arthur Harari and Justine Triet, winners of Original Screenplay award for ‘Anatomy of Fall’ pose in the press room during the 96th Annual Academy Awards at Ovation Hollywood on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
62.
BERLIN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 17: Director Matt Johnson poses at the “BlackBerry” photocall during the 73rd Berlinale International Film Festival Berlin at Grand Hyatt Hotel on February 17, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Gerald Matzka/Getty Images)
Gerald Matzka/Getty Images
63.
PARK CITY, UTAH – JANUARY 20: Anton Corbijn attends Stacy’s Roots to Rise Market at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT on January 20, 2023. (Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Stacy’s Pita Chips)
Presley Ann/Getty Images
64.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 13: Boots Riley attends the Los Angeles premiere of Neon’s “I Love Boosters” at DGA Theater Complex on May 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
65.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 22: David Frankel attends “The Devil Wears Prada 2” European Premiere inside Leicester Square on April 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
66.
Steven Soderbergh
CHRIS CHEW/UPI/Newscom/The Mega Agency
67.
Taika Waititi photographed for the Variety Playback Podcast at the PMC Studio in Los Angeles.
Dan Doperalski for Variety
68.
LES ARCS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 14: Alice Winocour attends the Couture Photocall during Day Two of Les Arcs Film Festival on December 14, 2025 in Les Arcs, France. (Photo by Aurore Marechal/Getty Images)
Aurore Marechal/Getty Images
69.
PARK CITY, UTAH – JANUARY 27: Noah Segan attends “The Only Living Pickpocket In New York” Premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at Eccles Center Theater on January 27, 2026 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
70.
CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 17: Chuko Esiri and Arie Esiri during an interview and portrait session for “Clarissa” during the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival at CBeach on May 17, 2026 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
71.
Kent Jones
Michael Buckner/Variety
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
Oscar Isaac
Gary Mitchell /Landmark Media / Landmark Media/Newscom/The Mega Agency
52.
Alexander Skarsgard
YLJ/PKI/Newscom/The Mega Agency
53.
MADRID, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 04: Miguel Bernardeau attends the premiere of “La Fiera” at Cine Capitol on February 04, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Juan Naharro Gimenez/Getty Images for Disney)
Juan Naharro Gimenez/Getty Images
54.
Josh Brolin
Michael Buckner/Deadline
55.
CABOURG, FRANCE – JUNE 13: Emmanuel Macchia attends the “Coward” photocall during Day Four of the 40th Cabourg Film Festival on June 13, 2026 in Cabourg, France. (Photo by Aurore Marechal/Getty Images)
Aurore Marechal/Getty Images
56.
Alden Ehrenreich
Frédéric Dugit/PHOTOPQR/LE PARISIEN/MAXPPP/Newscom/The Mega Agency
57.
CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 20: Leonardo Sbaraglia poses during the “Amarga Navidad” (Bitter Christmas) photocall at the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 20, 2026 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Hoda Davaine/Getty Images)
Hoda Davaine/Getty Images
58.
CABOURG, FRANCE – JUNE 13: Valentin Campagne attends the “Coward” photocall during Day Four of the 40th Cabourg Film Festival on June 13, 2026 in Cabourg, France. (Photo by Aurore Marechal/Getty Images)
Aurore Marechal/Getty Images
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
Elisabeth Shue
RUNE HELLESTAD/UPI/Newscom/The Mega Agency
52.
BERLIN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 17: Julia Jones poses at the “The Weight” photocall during the 76th Berlinale International Film Festival Berlin at Grand Hyatt Hotel on February 17, 2026 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Reuter/Getty Images)
Sebastian Reuter/Getty Images
53.
Gal Gadot
Chelsea Lauren/WWD
54.
Thomasin McKenzie
Stewart Cook/Variety
55.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 31: Greta Lee attends the “Past Lives” New York Screening at The Metrograph on May 31, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Theo Wargo/Getty Images
56.
CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 22: Mia Tharia attends the “September Says” Photocall at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 22, 2024 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
57.
Olivia Cooke
Michael Buckner/Variety
58.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 11: Tatiana Maslany attends The 76th Annual Tony Awards at United Palace Theater on June 11, 2023 in New York City.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
59.
Fiona Shaw
David Buchan/Variety
60.
Kerry Condon
Michael Buckner/Variety
61.
Caitriona Balfe
Tyler Boye/WWD
62.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Jessica Gunning attends The South Bank Sky Arts Awards 2022 at The Savoy Hotel on July 10, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 11: Gerard Butler attends the “How To Train Your Dragon” premiere during the 2025 Tribeca Festival at SVA Theater on June 11, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
52.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 18: Josh Hartnett attends the 2024 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 18, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images)
John Phillips/Getty Images
53.
Jamie Bell
Kathy Hutchins / Hutchins Photo/Newscom/The Mega Agency
54.
Benedict Wong
JIM RUYMEN/UPI/Newscom/The Mega Agency
55.
Guy Pearce
David Buchan/Variety
56.
Colin Firth
Gary Mitchell/Landmark Media / Landmark Media/Newscom/The Mega Agency
57.
Colman Domingo
Michael Buckner/Variety
58.
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 27: Frank Dillane during the BFI Presents “Urchin” Preview & Q&A at BFI Southbank on September 27, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images for BFI)
Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images
59.
Chris Messina
Kathy Hutchins / Hutchins Photo/Newscom/The Mega Agency
60.
Damian Lewis
Clint Spaulding/Variety
61.
Brendan Fraser
Gilbert Flores/Variety
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
The Adventures of Cliff Booth
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
The Wizard of the Kremlin
34.
Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass
35.
36.
