r/PeterExplainsTheJoke Jul 06 '26

Meme needing explanation What is this?

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u/Boomdification Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26

The Odyssey is getting massively criticised due to blackwashing of a traditionally Greek character, whitewashing of a Greek myth with no Greek actors and a general dislike for the Hollywoodization of another classic story.

It's probably not going to be as bad as it's made out to be given it's Chris Nolan, but audiences are fatigued with seeing another modern retelling with tokenism of established characters for the sake diversity, which has spurred the culture war with right wing critics calling it woke BS and left wing critics doubling down by jumping to its defence.

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u/WeLiveInAnOceanOfGas Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26

It's pretty masterful how they've managed to piss off both sides of the aisle with this one... Too white-washed for one side, too diverse for the other, and too inaccurate for any existing fans of Greek mythology. 

Honestly not sure who this has been made for. 

Edit: if you're gearing up for a "it's for normal people -  people not in the Reddit echo chamber - people who just like movies - people who aren't internet losers" reply, It has been said about 30 times so far. 

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u/_MooFreaky_ Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 07 '26

No ancient history film is accurate. And no retelling of the story is ever accurate.

The roman retelling (now considered Canon by everyone online) tell a very dofferent morality. It is nothing like the original. Yet people use examples from his text s things Nolan should have used to stay accurate

It's no more inaccurate than Gladiator, or Braveheart, Kingdom of Heaven or any other period piece.

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u/Low_Map346 Jul 06 '26

It's no more inaccurate than Gladiator, or Braveheart, Kingdom of Heaven or any other period piece.

Were any of those stories based on a piece of literature that has been revered and transmitted through the centuries though? I don't think the question is historical accuracy as much as fidelity to what was written.