“The Return” is one of the many films that the Dietrich Theater is offering during Winter Fest and is a retelling of the last sections of Homer’s “Odyssey.”
After twenty years away, Odysseus 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 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 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.
“The Return” is a gritty, real retelling of the infamous Odyssey myth. The film can have a slight slow start, but the story itself is truly intriguing. And, as usual, Ralph Fiennes (who’s also great in “Conclave”), gives another brilliant performance.
One thing I thoroughly enjoyed about this Odyssey retelling is that the film doesn’t mention any other mythological references that were mentioned in Homer’s original tale. “The Return” is primarily focusing on the last part of this infamous story. And, honestly, it makes the film feel more grounded.
Like I stated before, Ralph Fiennes gave another astounding performance. The film’s portrayal of Odysseus reminds me of a soldier suffering from PTSD and shows how the intense battle that was the Trojan War has ultimately changed him and possibly others. We also see how Odysseus goes from being an exhausted, emotionally empty combat veteran to someone who gradually re-connects with his former self.
Juliette Binoche also gives a great performance as his wife Penelope. This is also the first time that Binoche and Fiennes appeared in a film together since the 1996 film “The English Patient.”
There are a couple fight scenes featured in the film as Odysseus is slowly returning to his old self. Now, granted the couple fight scenes aren’t really big and epic like you would see in the “Gladiator” films, but they are also quite empowering and well choreographed (especially during the final moments of the film).
So, make sure not to miss the astounding film “The Return” during the Winter Film Fest at the Dietrich Theater!
Cast: Ralph Fiennes (Odysseus); Juliette Binoche (Penelope); Charlie Plummer (Telemachus); Claudio Santamaria (Eumaes); Roberto Serpi (Melanthius); Chris Corrigan (Polybus); Marwan Kenzari (Antinous); Maxim Gallozzi (Dulicheus); Wael Habib (Aristratos); Paolo de Candia (Ctesippus).
Writer/director: John Colle (writer) (Lee; Monkey Man; Hotel Mumbai); Edward Bond; Umberto Pasolini (co-writer/director) (Nowhere Special; Still Life).
Trivia: The project was announced in April 2022. HanWay Films began handling international sales and took the project to the 2022 Cannes Film Festival. In February 2023, Bleecker Street was announced to have picked up North American rights to the film.
“The Return” was filmed on the island of Corfu in Greece. In July 2024, “The Return” was announced as a part of the Gala section at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was featured in the Limelight section of the 54th International Film Festival Rotterdam screened in February 2025.
MPAA rating: R for violence, some sexual content, graphic nudity and language (running time 116 minutes)
Film Festival: The remaining show dates and times for “The Return are: March 8 - 9:30; March 11 - noon.
Writer’s note: For the month of March, including the new releases that the Dietrich Theater will be showing and a couple recent releases I may have missed, I will also be taking a look at a few past Oscar winners/nominees! And with the recent passing of acclaimed actor Gene Hackman, I plan on taking a look at a couple of his films as well. Make sure to keep on checking my Wyoming County Press Examiner reviews page on Facebook to see what I will be checking out next!
Filmed on the island of Corfu in Greece.
The Chlemoutsi castle, which is located in the region of Elis (Ilía) in Western Peloponnese, Greece, appears in the movie as the palace of Odysseus.
This film is the first time in almost 30 years that Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche have starred together. They previously appeared together in Wuthering Heights (1992) and The English Patient (1996).
In July 2024, The Return was announced as part of the Gala section at the Toronto International Film Festival scheduled for September 2024. The film was theatrically released on December 6, 2024, in the United States by Bleecker Street
It was featured in the Limelight section of the 54th International Film Festival Rotterdam to be screened in February 2025.
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