Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called director Christopher Nolan on Monday to congratulate him on The Odyssey, thanking him for stimulating global interest in ancient Greek culture. The film, an adaptation of Homer's epic poem, has become a commercial and critical success, and the gesture underlines the perceived cultural and economic benefit to Greece from the production, much of which was filmed in the country.

Mitsotakis praised the film's box office performance, which is on course to exceed $1 billion worldwide, and noted his appreciation that significant filming took place in the Peloponnese, including at Voidokilia Beach, Methoni Castle, Acrocorinth, Almyrolaka Beach and Nestor's Cave. The call came shortly after translator and academic Emily Wilson criticised the film as a "confused" and "abysmal" adaptation, taking issue with its handling of the gods, its central themes and its portrayal of Penelope. The film has also drawn separate criticism from Elon Musk over its casting, and Musk has claimed an AI-generated rival adaptation will be made by Grok before the end of 2026.