This summer, it’s been hard to stream anything without encountering a trailer featuring a sword-wielding Matt Damon struggling his way through arguably the most epic journey of all time. While the star-studded new film adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey stands to pique kids’ interest in Greek mythology, the story also includes some infamously gruesome scenes (plus, Odysseus isn’t exactly known for his sexual fidelity). This all begs the question: is The Odyssey appropriate for kids? Let’s break it down.
Citing “violence and some language,” the Motion Picture Association (MPA) gave The Odyssey an R rating, a somewhat controversial rating that’s also notably strict for a summer blockbuster.
If the MPA rating gives you pause at the ticket booth, consider also the opinion of Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit that provides media ratings to help inform parents. They deem The Odyssey appropriate for kids 15 and up.
Christopher Nolan took quite a few liberties with his decision to modernize the language in his film adaptation of The Odyssey, including a smattering of F-bombs, which wasn’t even a word yet back in Homer’s days. But the swearing is minimal and nothing the average teen doesn’t hear on the regular.
Aside from a few passionate kisses, sexual activity is infrequent and implied rather than explicit. Nude male bums are shown briefly, but in a non-sexual context.
While not as notoriously violent as its counterpart poem, The Iliad, Homer didn’t pull any punches in The Odyssey, and neither does the film adaptation. Monsters and men alike are slashed and stabbed, animals are sacrificed, people are brutally turned into pigs, and the list goes on. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart or the youngest of viewers.
Beyond the violence, there are other quite scary parts in The Odyssey. The mythical monsters might scare sensitive kids. (Or me, honestly; the Cyclops will haunt me in my dreams.) Characters are often in extreme peril, and many scenes are intense and emotional. There are also references to children being murdered, though it’s not explicit and nothing is shown. If your child is on the sensitive side, take care when deciding if this film is for them.
Characters drink alcohol and occasionally overindulge. Odysseus also eats a narcotic lotus flower. But the substance use isn’t particularly notable.
If you’re on the fence, consider screening The Odyssey yourself first. You can also include your teen in the discussion: give them an overview of the types of scenes they’ll encounter, watch the trailer, and peek at some of the stills available online. Then, see if they think they can handle it. Most teens have a decent sense of their own capacity.
If your child isn’t ready for The Odyssey film, here are some other versions that let them experience the canonical story with less nightmare potential.
Who it’s for: Younger elementary readers
Without skimping on the epic drama, Zamorsky simplifies and tames the storyline into an abridged and illustrated chapter book retelling of The Odyssey perfect for the youngest readers.
Who it’s for: Middle grade readers (roughly 8-12 years old)
This illustrated retelling of The Odyssey features stunning illustrations, so skip the e-reader and pick up a physical copy for this one.
Who it’s for: Middle grade readers (roughly 8-12 years old). This one is also great to read aloud to younger, emerging readers
The author of The Magic Treehouse books is known for bringing history to kids. Mary Pope Osborne’s two-part retelling of The Odyssey is no exception. While the reading level is better suited to around 3rd grade and up, content-wise, it’s appropriate for younger readers, making it a great option to read aloud to your kids.
Who it’s for: Middle and high school readers
Gareth Hinds’ graphic novel is a faithful adaptation that provides an accessible entry point for the classic story. Hinds doesn’t shy away from the gorier bits of the original, but because it’s illustrated and not on screen, the violence is more palatable for sensitive souls.
Like Homer’s epic poem, the new film version of The Odyssey is intense, graphic, and sometimes scary. It’s not a good fit for younger kids, but despite its R rating, it’s appropriate for most kids 15 and older. If you’re not sure your kid is ready, consider screening it yourself first or give them one of the many great book adaptations aimed at kids.
