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The Odyssey · written by Christopher Nolan · 2026
Scene 26 of 199 · ≈ 3 min on screen · Act one
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.
Penelope tests Telemachus by handing him Odysseus's bow to string — he fails, proving he isn't yet ready to claim the throne.
Flashback: Odysseus effortlessly strings the bow and shoots an arrow through a line of axes to a cheering hall.
Present: Penelope reveals no other man has ever managed the bow's feat, and Telemachus insists on sailing to learn if his father is truly dead.
This scene
Telemachus, FUMING, watches the Suitors FEAST.
Eumaeus, sitting at the side, hears a MALE SERVANT come rushing, SPURS JANGLING - he sticks out a restraining hand -- HIS PALM HITTING THE MIDDLE OF THE SERVANT'S CHEST.
EUMAEUS
Too loud, Melanthius. Don't wear your spurs in the palace. You're a cowherd not a horseman.
The Servant, MELANTHIUS, turns on Eumaeus.
MELANTHIUS
And you're a pig farmer. Who's you to talk to me like that?
EUMAEUS
The servant our master left in charge of his herdsmen.
MELANTHIUS
That master's long gone, you blind old fool. You're as welcome here as that old dog bothering the suitors...
EUMAEUS
Argus?
Eumaeus shuffles over to the table, TRYING TO FIND ARGUS.
EUMAEUS (CONT'D)
Argus?
Polybus notices the old dog at his feet. He KICKS it away in disgust -- Argus WHIMPERS.
EUMAEUS (CONT'D)
Hey! He didn't do anything.
POLYBUS
So that stink is you?
LAUGHTER. Telemachus, blood up, comes over. Antinous WATCHES, INTERESTED.
TELEMACHUS
Leave the old dog alone.
POLYBUS
Which one?
EUMAEUS
Both of us.
POLYBUS
What did you say to me, slave?
TELEMACHUS
He got carried away. Argus is my father's hunting dog.
Polybus LAUGHS.
POLYBUS
Hunting dog? Look at that thing. Get it out of here, we're trying to eat --
Polybus kicks Argus again.
TELEMACHUS
Don't! Can't you hear it's in pain?
POLYBUS
Okay...
Polybus grabs Argus...
POLYBUS (CONT'D)
I'll put it out of its misery.
EUMAEUS
Leave him alone!
Eumaeus grabs Polybus's arm -- Polybus KICKS him away --
Telemachus, ENRAGED, rushes to the wall, pulling A SWORD FROM ITS PLACE and rushing towards Polybus -- SWINGING --
Polybus drops the dog, dodges the reckless attack, SMASHING Telemachus to the floor, DISARMING HIM AND RAISING THE SWORD --
ANTINOUS
Easy, Polybus.
Antinous steps up beside Polybus...
POLYBUS
You saw! You all saw! He attacked me! I have the right!
PENELOPE (O.S.)
Please!
Penelope SLIDES BACK THE SCREEN, showing herself to the Suitors. The hall falls QUIET.
PENELOPE (CONT'D)
Please don't hurt my son...
Antinous looks at Penelope, then turns back to Polybus --
ANTINOUS
The young pup lost his head. Show some mercy...
Antinous gently TAKES THE SWORD from Polybus...
ANTINOUS (CONT'D)
Drink some more of his wine, I'll take care of this.
Antinous scoops up the limp Argus. Telemachus GETS UP --
TELEMACHUS
That's my father's dog! He's only living to see Odysseus return.
ANTINOUS
Fine. I'll put him on the dung heap out front so he can greet his master a little sooner.
As cruel LAUGHTER erupts, Antinous steps across the threshold and drops him onto the DUNG PILE in the courtyard. He comes back in, MAINTAINING EYE CONTACT WITH TELEMACHUS. Eumaeus places a restraining hand on Telemachus's arm. Antinous COMES CLOSE...
ANTINOUS (CONT'D)
The dog stays out there.
(indicates Eumaeus)
Maybe think twice before you offer up your life for an animal.
Telemachus glares at Antinous... then turns and leaves --