The Return Brings Homer’s Odyssey to Life Through Trauma and Humanity

Uberto Pasolini’s naturalistic adaptation of Odysseus’s return to Ithaca features Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche in deeply emotional performances.

The Return adapts the latter half of Homer’s Odyssey, focusing on Odysseus’s homecoming and psychological struggles after 20 years away.
Ralph Fiennes delivers a powerful performance as a war-torn Odysseus, grappling with PTSD and guilt, while Juliette Binoche portrays Penelope with nuance and restraint.
Director Uberto Pasolini employs a naturalistic approach, avoiding mythological elements and emphasizing raw human emotion and moral complexity.
The film, developed with contributions from playwright Edward Bond and screenwriter John Collee, marks Bond’s final creative work before his death in 2024.
Critics praise the cinematography and emotional depth of the lead performances but note the film’s modest production scale and uneven supporting cast.