‘Do not need to beg me. Just buy a ticket’: Christopher Nolan, inspired by Obsession, hints at making a horror film after The Odyssey

Ace director Christopher Nolan’s latest offering, The Odyssey, is making waves at the box office. The film, inspired by Greek poet Homer’s epic poem of the same name, premiered globally on July 17. For decades, Nolan has been treating audiences with thought-provoking movies like Oppenheimer, Tenet, Dunkirk, Interstellar, and Inception, to name a few, but fans have been demanding to witness his expertise in the horror genre. Now, Nolan has finally broken his silence on the matter, giving a nod to the blockbuster romance horror Obsession.

Christopher Nolan on directing a horror film

Christopher Nolan recently appeared for an interview with The Hollywood Reporter where he shared his plans of directing a pure horror film. The director, however, admitted that The Odyssey is also infused with several horror sub-genres.


Christopher Nolan said that moviegoers no longer needed to beg him to tell a horror story, adding that they simply needed to buy a ticket. He noted that the experience had thoroughly fueled his desire to explore the genre further. However, it was emphasized by the filmmaker that horror as a genre must be approached with extreme caution from a conceptual perspective, stressing that an exceptional concept is paramount.

Citing the film Obsession as an example, Christopher Nolan described it as an amazing idea that was executed brilliantly. Nolan clarified that his interest was not driven by technical ambitions or specific technical itches waiting to be scratched, but was instead centered entirely around the story. Consequently, it was confirmed that the right narrative idea was actively being sought by him.

All about Obsession

For the unversed, Obsession, starring Inde Navarrette and Michael Johnston in the lead, was released on May 29 in India. The movie, directed by Curry Barker, revolves around Nikki and Bear. Unable to confess his love for Nikki, as a shy and insecure music store employee, Bear purchases a mysterious novelty item called a "One Wish Willow" from a local shop and wishes for Nikki to love him more than anyone else in the world.

But while Bear’s wish does come true, it also brings a series of horrific events as Nikki starts being erratically obsessed with him. The romantic dream soon spirals into a psychological nightmare as Nikki’s behaviour becomes increasingly violent, possessive, and grotesque, threatening the lives of everyone around her and Bear. At its core, Obsession focuses on the dark side of male entitlement, toxic infatuation, and the violation of consent.

All about Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey

Meanwhile, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey features a star-studded line-up of cast. Matt Damon plays the central role of Odysseus, the legendary King of Ithaca whose grueling 10-year journey home after the Trojan War forms the core of the epic. Anne Hathaway essays the character of his wife and Queen of Ithaca, Penelope and Tom Holland slips into the shoes of Odysseus and Penelope’s son Telemachus.

Zendaya is seen as the goddess Athena, Robert Pattinson as the arrogant and principal antagonist Antinous, Lupita Nyong'o in a dual role as Helen of Troy and her sister Clytemnestra, Charlize Theron as the alluring nymph Calypso, Benny Safdie as the King of Mycenae Agamemnon, and Himesh Patel as Eurylochus, Odysseus's timid second-in-command among others.