Christopher Nolan’s latest film, “The Odyssey,” brings together a star-studded cast, including Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Samantha Morton, and John Leguizamo, in a cinematic retelling of the ancient Greek epic. Among the performances, Elliot Page stands out for a pivotal role that anchors key moments of the story.
Page, 39, makes a notable return to a major studio release for the first time since 2017’s “Flatliners,” portraying Sinon, a Greek soldier whose character is drawn not from Homer’s “Odyssey,” but from Virgil’s “Aeneid.” The film opens with Sinon being wounded by Trojan soldiers, but before dying, he deceives them into believing that the enormous wooden horse left outside Troy’s gates is an offering to the goddess Athena. Unaware that Odysseus and his men are concealed within, the Trojans bring the horse inside their city, setting in motion events that lead to Troy’s destruction.
Though Page’s screen time is limited, Sinon emerges as a symbol of innocence amid the surrounding violence and deceit. The film delves deeper into Sinon's character during a surreal visit to the underworld, where Odysseus and his crew encounter Sinon's ghost. Covered in grime and blood, the spectral figure expresses sorrow over Odysseus’ use of deception, unaware of the human cost that the Trojan horse ultimately exacted. Odysseus defends his actions as necessary for victory, but Sinon counters that such justification offers little solace in death. Nolan has described the role as a way to personify the tragedy of war and its moral complexities.
Page’s portrayal adds a nuanced emotional layer to the film, balancing vulnerability with a quiet intensity. Known for a range of roles that showcase his versatility—from the haunting “Hard Candy” to the Oscar-nominated “Juno”—Page brings a distinctive presence that resonates throughout “The Odyssey.” His career spans independent films and major franchises, including work in Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” and the “X-Men” series. Since publicly coming out as a transgender man in 2020, Page has focused largely on producing documentary projects and his role in the Netflix series “The Umbrella Academy.”
The casting of Page in “The Odyssey” has drawn some criticism from a vocal minority on social media, but the film’s reception among wider audiences has been positive. Industry observers suggest the movie’s box office success could open further opportunities for Page to return to high-profile acting roles.
With “The Odyssey,” Page embarks on a significant return to the big screen, delivering a performance that anchors one of the film’s central moral and emotional questions, and reestablishing his presence in mainstream cinema.