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Would You Still Love The Man I Have Become?

Posted in General Comments, Movie Review, Movies, Reviews, tagged Antinous, Charlie Plummer, General Comments, Ithaca, Juliette Binoche, Marwan Kenzari, Movie Reviews, Odysseus, Penelope, Ralph Fiennes, Reviews, Strong Movie Recommendation, Telemachus, The Odyssey, The Return (2024) — movie review, Uberto Pasolini on June 6, 2026| Leave a Comment »

“The Return” (2024) — movie review
Today’s review is for the historical drama “The Return”, directed by Uberto Pasolini and starring Ralph Fiennes as Odysseus, the long‑absent king trying to get home after twenty years of war and wandering; Juliette Binoche as Penelope, the wife trying to protect her household while resisting a dangerous suitor; Charlie Plummer as Telemachus, the son caught between fear, anger, and the father he barely remembers; and Marwan Kenzari as Antinous, one of Penelope’s suitors who hopes to take over her kingdom. The film follows Odysseus’ secret return to Ithaca and the threat waiting for him — especially Antinous, the suitor trying to force Penelope into marriage to seize the throne.

Background: This is my first viewing of this film. I knew the basic idea but not much else. Released in 2024, “The Return” didn’t receive any Academy Award nominations, but it drew attention for its simple, human-scale take on the final chapters of “The Odyssey.” The film is notable for focusing on the emotional cost of coming home after years away — not the myth of Greek legend, just the people.

Plot: After twenty years away, Odysseus returns to Ithaca in disguise (not really, just older looking). Penelope has spent years fending off a house full of suitors led by Antinous, who is determined to force her into marriage and take the kingdom. Telemachus is old enough to fight back but not strong enough to stop the threat. Odysseus watches from the shadows, trying to understand the home he left behind and the people he once knew. Antinous tightens his grip, using charm, pressure, and open menace to corner Penelope and humiliate Telemachus. The film builds toward the expected confrontation, but the focus mostly stays on the emotional fallout — absence, doubt, fear, and the difficulty of returning to a life that didn’t stand still and wait for you.

So, is this movie any good? How’s the acting? The filming / FX? Any problems? And, did I enjoy the film? Short answers: Yes; excellent; simple and effective; a few; mostly yes.

Any good? Yes. “The Return” is a quiet, thoughtful drama. It’s not an action film except in the final scene (of slaughter). It’s about people trying to reconnect after too much time apart, with Antinous’ threat giving the story real stakes. The movie leans into hesitation, silence, and the awkwardness of a family trying to figure out who they are to each other now. IMHO, that’s where it works best.

Acting: Fiennes (as usual) is very good — worn down, wary, and carrying the weight of everything he’s done. Binoche gives Penelope strength without turning her into an action hero. She feels like someone who has survived by being careful and smart, especially in scenes opposite Antinous. Plummer is believable as a young man caught between fear and anger, bristling at Antinous’ dominance. The actor playing Antinous makes him just charming enough to be plausible and just cruel enough to be scary. The film is basically a four-person drama, and all four do their jobs well.

Filming / FX: The filming is simple and effective: natural light, close shots, and a focus on faces. Nothing fancy. No big effects. The camera stays close to the characters, which fits the story.

Problems: A few. The pacing is slow, and some scenes felt like they lingered longer than they needed to. The story sometimes feels small, even with Antinous’ threat hanging over everything. The other suitors blur together. Telemachus’ arc could use more development. Nothing which ruins the film, but noticeable.

Did I enjoy the film? Mostly yes. It’s not exciting, but it’s sincere. The performances carry it, and the emotional beats land. The final scenes between Odysseus, Penelope, Telemachus, and Antinous give the film its weight and make his journey (and ours) feel worthwhile.

Final Recommendation: Strong recommendation. “The Return” is a well-acted retelling of a classic story, with historical interest for its human-scale approach and its clear focus on Antinous’ threat to Penelope and Telemachus. If you like character-driven dramas, quiet tension, or new takes on old stories, this one is worth your time. Watch it for the performances and the reminder that coming home can be its own kind of battle.

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