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The Odyssey · written by Christopher Nolan · 2026
Scene 110 of 199 · ≈ 5 min on screen · Act two
Twenty years after leaving for the Trojan War, Odysseus fights his way home across a hostile sea only to find his kingdom overrun — and must return in disguise to reclaim his wife, his son, and his throne from the suitors laying siege to his house.
Ithaca frozen in a decade of waiting: Penelope weaving, the suitors feasting, Telemachus unheard.
Telemachus needs proof of his father's fate; Penelope needs the throne secured before the suitors force her hand.
Telemachus sails from Ithaca in secret, crossing into the unfamiliar world beyond his mother's house.
Odysseus's captivity with Calypso opens the parallel strand — a man who has forgotten his own family, slowly remembering his way home.
Circe begins transforming Odysseus's starving men into pigs mid-feast — the crew's appetite becomes literal cost, and Odysseus is forced to act alone.
Inside, Circe completes the transformation, turning the feasting men into pigs one by one.
Odysseus confronts the sentry Antiphates, learns none of the landing party has returned, and arms himself before heading up alone.
Watching the pig-filled sty from the ruins, Odysseus is confronted by Circe, who senses his presence and offers him food.
This scene
The pig runs, SQUEALING, into the gloomy kitchen, hiding in a corner. Circe hands Odysseus a CLEAVER, pointing to the back door... the Crow in the Cage SQUAWKS.
Odysseus moves to the pig, WHICH PANICS. Circe watches Odysseus struggle to control the pig.
CIRCE
Whoever you are, you're clearly not a farmer. Here --
She REACHES for the cleaver. Odysseus PUTS THE CLEAVER DOWN by the fire, letting the pig go.
ODYSSEUS
The stew smells good. That's plenty for just us.
CIRCE
Who says it's just us?
ODYSSEUS
Who else is here?
CIRCE
Who, indeed?
Circe scoops some stew from the bubbling pot into a bowl and puts it on the table.
CIRCE (CONT'D)
You say you're alone.
She drops a LUMP OF BREAD next to the bowl. Odysseus sits.
CIRCE (CONT'D)
But no one comes here alone.
ODYSSEUS
No?
Odysseus examines the chunks of pink meat... Circe sits next to him.
CIRCE
You can only reach this spot by sea...
She pours them both DARK RED WINE from a jug.
CIRCE (CONT'D)
So where are your shipmates?
Odysseus picks up his cup, LOOKING AT THE DARK LIQUID.
ODYSSEUS
I'm looking for them. Has anyone come this way?
Circe looks at him. Gulps at her wine, LEAVING RED ACROSS HER LIPS and CHIN.
She shakes her head. The Crow in the Cage SQUAWKS.
ODYSSEUS (CONT'D)
But you had all this food prepared.
CIRCE
You're questioning me? You? A traveller who's clearly starving, but hasn't touched the food in front of him. Who claims to be a sailor but wears a Greek warrior's armour. Who breaks Zeus's law by bringing a dagger into his hostess's house.
ODYSSEUS
You've got sharp eyes.
CIRCE
Sharpened by the Gods.
ODYSSEUS
CIRCE
Truths. Sometimes.
The PIGS ARE SQUEALING at the door...
ODYSSEUS
Would they tell you where my men are?
CIRCE
Your men? You command them?
Odysseus nods. Circe thinks.
CIRCE (CONT'D)
Yes, they would.
ODYSSEUS
Would you tell me?
CIRCE
Perhaps. If you give me your dagger.
Odysseus reaches down, PRODUCES THE DAGGER. Hands it to her.
CIRCE (CONT'D)
But why would I help a liar who
refuses my hospitality?
Odysseus picks up his cup. SIPS, GIVING HIMSELF RED LIPS.
CIRCE (CONT'D)
Your men were here earlier.
The PIGS HAMMER THE DOOR...
CIRCE (CONT'D)
Now they're not.
Odysseus takes a FORKFUL OF PINK MEAT, raises it to his mouth -- THE CROW IN THE CAGE SQUAWKS AND SQUAWKS -- Odysseus pauses -- CIRCE THROWS A CHUNK OF BREAD AT THE BARS OF THE CAGE, silencing it. Odysseus SPOTS SOMETHING IN THE BREAD BOWL...
The PIGS ARE SQUEALING, THROWING THEMSELVES AGAINST THE DOOR --
ODYSSEUS
They moved on?
Odysseus reaches for the bread bowl as Circe BRINGS THE DAGGER ABOVE THE TABLE...
CIRCE
Yes.
He turns the bowl over letting a RING RATTLE ONTO THE TABLE -- THE RING HE GAVE EURYLOCHUS.
ODYSSEUS
Leaving their rings?
The PIGS BURST THROUGH THE DOOR --
Odysseus SMASHES HIS HAND THROUGH THE BARS OF THE CROW'S CAGE --
Circe BRINGS THE DAGGER TO ODYSSEUS'S THROAT --
ODYSSEUS (CONT'D)
I wouldn't...
Circe looks to where Odysseus's hand has the CROW BY THE THROAT. She FREEZES -- THE PIGS SURROUND THEM, SQUEALING --
CIRCE
DON'T!
ODYSSEUS
I don't know who this crow is to you,
but if you don't put the knife down
I'll throttle it to find out.
Circe DROPS the dagger.
CIRCE
Don't hurt her!
Odysseus looks from Circe to the crow and back.
ODYSSEUS
Family? Mother? Your sister?
Circe nods. The pigs push their snouts against her WITH INCREASING VIOLENCE --
ODYSSEUS (CONT'D)
You turned her into this like you
turned my men into pigs --
CIRCE
I didn't turn your men into anything!
This is who they are. Look at them --
Odysseus looks at the SQUEALING, WRITHING PIGS --
CIRCE (CONT'D)
Base. Disgusting, primal urges you
value in battle...
CIRCE (CONT'D)
they've raped and pillaged across the
world for you -- you think that's
against their nature? You think they
only did those things because you
ordered them to?
Odysseus tries not to look at the pigs. Circe sees his discomfort.
CIRCE (CONT'D)
A true commander thinks his men's
savagery is actually discipline. You
don't seem that deluded. But you sent
them to me, here, on my own. A gang of
filthy soldiers with empty bellies and
hot blood. You thought they'd respect
me and my home? Look at them. Know
your own men.
Odysseus looks from the pigs to Circe. TIGHTENS HIS GRIP ON HER CROW.
ODYSSEUS
Did they hurt you?
CIRCE
They would've.
ODYSSEUS
They just want to go home. Let them.
Circe looks at Odysseus. At her Caged Crow. She PUTS HER KNIFE DOWN...
CIRCE
Let her go.
Odysseus GENTLY releases the crow, which SQUAWKS. Circe rubs her hands together and grabs a pig, RUBBING HUMAN LIFE BACK INTO IT as if trying to warm it up, streak by streak, fur falls...
CIRCE (CONT'D)
Come back. Back into your disguises...
MEN EMERGE from her hands as if from sleep, NAKED, DISORIENTED, ANGRY...
ODYSSEUS
Where are their clothes?
Circe nods at the back door as she works her magic...