Goddess Core: 3 Ways to Celebrate ‘The Odyssey’ in Style

With Christopher Nolan’s massive epic The Odyssey hitting theaters on July 17, the world is diving headfirst back into ancient Greek myth.

While the film is a sweeping visual marvel shot entirely on 70 mm IMAX cameras, it’s the powerhouse performances from its leading women that truly anchor the story’s immense emotional weight.

Zendaya delivers a calculated, fiercely wise Athena—earning rare “perfect” praise from Nolan himself on set—while Lupita Nyong’o pulls stunning double duty as the tragic, captivating Helen of Troy and her fierce sister Clytemnestra.

If the film has you craving a taste of the Mediterranean, you don’t need a ship to cross the Aegean Sea. Here are three ways to channel your inner god or goddess and celebrate Greek life right in your own city and home.

Host a Homeric Mezze Feast at Home

Food is at the very heart of The Odyssey—nearly every major plot point involves a grand banquet, a feast of welcoming strangers, or a glass of wine. Gather your inner circle for a Mediterranean-style grazing board that feels fit for the courts of Ithaca.

The Spread: Load a large wooden board with Kalamata olives, blocks of feta drizzled with olive oil and oregano, warm pita bread, stuffed grape leaves (dolmades), and tzatziki. Add fresh figs, grapes, and honey to capture the sweeter side of ancient Greek agriculture.

The Vibe: For the ultimate movie-night prep, pour some crisp Assyrtiko white wine or a rich red, dim the lights, and put on Ludwig Göransson’s sweeping, atmospheric film score in the background to set a cinematic mood before you head to the theater.

Map Out a “Mythology Walk” or Museum Visit

You don’t need to live in Athens to find traces of ancient Greece. Most major cities feature architecture directly inspired by classical antiquity or museums housing artifacts that bring the world of Athena and Helen to life.

The Architectural Trek: Take a walk through your city center and look for Doric, Ionic, or Corinthian columns on historic libraries, courthouses, or university buildings. In New York City, there’s Federal Hall: Located at 26 Wall Street, this 1842 building features massive Doric columns and resembles the ancient Parthenon.

The Cultural Dive: Head to your local art museum to look for classical Greek pottery, sculptures, or Renaissance paintings depicting the Trojan War. Seeing 3,000-year-old motifs in person bridges the gap between ancient history and modern cinema.

Both are great excuses to get outside, grab an iced frappé (a staple of modern Greek coffee culture), and appreciate how the ancient world still shapes our modern spaces.

Channel “Greek Couture” for the Weekend

Zendaya and Nyong’o absolutely dominated the film’s global press tour, turning the red carpet into an extension of the movie with regal tones, structured metallics, and Greek-inspired draping. You can channel that exact same energy for your theater outing.

The Look: Lean into the “Goddess Core” aesthetic. Think structured gold jewelry or a pearl choker to mirror Lupita’s regal New York premiere style, or flowing, draped creams and whites reminiscent of Zendaya’s ethereal Athena look. You don’t need haute couture to participate—this elegant Sleeveless Maxi Dress from Amazon is a perfect midsummer night’s choice. Or pair a linen shirt with chunky metallic jewelry to perfectly capture the spirit of the epic.

photo credits: Melinda Sue Gordon / Universal Pictures, Pexels, NYPL, Amazon