The Odyssey · written by Christopher Nolan · 2026

Tending the wounded Eumaeus, the disguised Odysseus learns Telemachus is in danger and that no one in the palace remains loyal to Odysseus's memory.

Scene 151 of 199 · ≈ 2 min on screen · Act two

Save the Cat: Break into Three
Eumaeus
Odysseus

Act oneAct two

Begins 1:46 into a 2:26 film

The story so farBefore scene 151

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.

Scenes 1–9
Ithaca frozen in a decade of waiting: Penelope weaving, the suitors feasting, Telemachus unheard.
Scenes 9–27
Telemachus needs proof of his father's fate; Penelope needs the throne secured before the suitors force her hand.
Scenes 28–29
Telemachus sails from Ithaca in secret, crossing into the unfamiliar world beyond his mother's house.
Scenes 30–144
Odysseus's remembered ordeal — Troy, the Cyclops, Circe, Hades, Charybdis — paid for in men, ships, and years, while Telemachus searches the courts of Sparta.
Scene 145
Odysseus makes landfall on Ithaca at last, alone but alive — what he wanted, stripped of everything else.
Just before
Scene 148
Blind Eumaeus, now guarding his farm from a band of hungry raiders led by Irus, cautiously offers them Zeus's hospitality while distrusting them.
Scene 149
Telemachus takes his leave of Menelaus and Helen, still without solid news of his father.
Scene 150
Disguised as a beggar, Odysseus arrives at Eumaeus's farm and learns his old friend's dogs and men have just been killed defending it from raiders.
Scene 151
This scene

151INT. EUMAEUS'S FARMHOUSE - NIGHT

Odysseus tends to Eumaeus who is LAID OUT ON HIS COT. The Farmhand brings WATER... Eumaeus is WEEPING...

EUMAEUS

Telemachus. If I weren't blind, I could help Telemachus --

ODYSSEUS

Telemachus?

EUMAEUS

He's in danger. I can't help him.

ODYSSEUS

There must be others in Ithaca who'd help Odysseus's son.

EUMAEUS

The palace is controlled by suitors. No one's still loyal to Odysseus.

Odysseus doesn't want to ask...

ODYSSEUS

What about the Queen?

Eumaeus SMILES, fondly.

EUMAEUS

Beautiful, wise Penelope. Held hostage by the worst men. Soon to be forced into marriage. What can she do without even her son?

ODYSSEUS

What's the danger to Telemachus?

EUMAEUS

He's on his way back from Sparta. The suitors sent bandits to Pylos to ambush him at the temple.

Odysseus RISES, turns TO THE FARMHAND --

ODYSSEUS

Give me food for the road.

EUMAEUS

You'll never catch up with the bandits.

ODYSSEUS

If I'm at Pylos when Telemachus arrives, I can warn him.

The Farmhand WRAPS A BUNDLE for Odysseus.

EUMAEUS

Why are you helping?

Odysseus takes the bundle. Turns to Eumaeus on the bed...

ODYSSEUS

If I tell you, don't be angry.

Eumaeus nods.

ODYSSEUS (CONT'D)

I served under Odysseus at Troy.

Eumaeus takes this in. Suppressing his usual instincts.

EUMAEUS

Really?

ODYSSEUS

Yes. He was a harsh taskmaster.

EUMAEUS

But fair. And worthy of following.

Odysseus looks at the blind old man. WELLING UP.

ODYSSEUS

You loved him.