The Return

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2:15

The Return

R

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1h 56m

Adventure

Drama

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Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

48 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

50+ Verified Ratings

After 20 years away, Odysseus (Ralph Fiennes) washes up on the shores of Ithaca, haggard and unrecognizable. The King has returned from the Trojan War, but much has changed in his kingdom. His beloved wife Penelope (Juliette Binoche) is a prisoner in her own home, hounded by suitors vying to be king. Their son Telemachus faces death at the hands of these suitors, who see him as merely an obstacle to their pursuit of the kingdom. Odysseus has also changed--scarred by his experience of the Trojan war, he is no longer the mighty warrior from years past--but he must rediscover his strength in order to win back all that he has lost.

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Critics Consensus

The Return removes the mythology from Odysseus' homecoming along with some of the fun, but Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche's terrific performances keep this drama absorbing.

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Ryan Lattanzio

indieWire

Pasolini’s commitment to realism here -- despite as ever magnetic performances from his actors -- fails to get at the violent, dark heart of the classic story.

Rated: C

Dec 11, 2024

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Jeannette Catsoulis

New York Times

When there’s precious little scenery to chew, the best actors know their words have to be enough.

Dec 9, 2024

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Katie Walsh

Tribune News Service

Tt never reaches the operatic height one might be expecting — or hoping for. Nevertheless, there’s a hushed profundity, especially in Binoche and Fiennes’ performances.

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 9, 2024

Full Review

Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

The lack of grandiosity may limit some of the power here, though on its own terms The Return works. It gets all the conviction it needs from Fiennes’ gnarled intensity, with Binoche also bringing considerable force to the table.

Dec 12, 2024

Full Review

Frank Swietek

One Guy's Opinion

A revisionist take on Odysseus’ fabled homecoming that possesses universal resonance, and, propelled by a powerful performance from Fiennes, proves both intelligent and moving. But appreciating it does require a viewer’s patience.

Rated: B

Dec 10, 2024

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Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

A bravura performance and a solid bookend to the other impressive physical transformation Ralph Fiennes underwent early in his career, in 'Schindler’s List.'

Rated: 4/5

Dec 10, 2024

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Raymond W

Excellent portrayal of Ulysses return to Ithaca.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/12/24

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martin d

Very slow progression, dull cinematography (low budget), the characters were not very complex

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

12/11/24

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Douglas M

Other then Fiennes was pain and BS

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/11/24

Full Review

Danny Z

Definitely deserves a watch, acting was great story was pretty cool and the ending was very satisfying, i recommend it for sure

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/11/24

Full Review

Jonathan

Very slow! Not a great story, but Fiennes is good.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/10/24

Full Review

Audience Member

The movie never comes together. The source material is noticeably stretched to death and while the main two actors excel, the rest suck. Not to mention, the character relationships all fall flat.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/09/24

Full Review

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Uberto Pasolini

Director

Ralph Fiennes

Odysseus

Juliette Binoche

Penelope

Charlie Plummer

Telemachus

Marwan Kenzari

Antinous

Claudio Santamaria

Eumeo

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The Return: Featurette - Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche

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The Return: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

After 20 years away, Odysseus (Ralph Fiennes) washes up on the shores of Ithaca, haggard and unrecognizable. The King has returned from the Trojan War, but much has changed in his kingdom. His beloved wife Penelope (Juliette Binoche) is a prisoner in her own home, hounded by suitors vying to be king. Their son Telemachus faces death at the hands of these suitors, who see him as merely an obstacle to their pursuit of the kingdom. Odysseus has also changed--scarred by his experience of the Trojan war, he is no longer the mighty warrior from years past--but he must rediscover his strength in order to win back all that he has lost.

Director: Uberto Pasolini
Producer: Uberto Pasolini, James Clayton, Roberto Sessa, Giorgos Karnavas, Konstantinos Kontovravkis, Stéphane Moatti, Romain Le Grand, Vivien Aslanian, Marco Pacchioni
Screenwriter: John Collee, Edward Bond, Uberto Pasolini
Distributor: Bleecker Street
Production Co: Redwave Films
Rating: R (Violence|Graphic Nudity|Some Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 6, 2024, Wide
Runtime: 1h 56m

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