[Sportschosun reporter Jo Ji-young] The action film "The Odyssey," directed by Christopher Nolan, has set a remarkable record by ranking No. 1 in advance ticket sales for 23 consecutive days.
"The Odyssey" held on to the top spot in advance ticket sales for 23 straight days, surpassing Colony's record of 22 days and setting the longest No. 1 streak in advance sales this year.
Beyond theaters, "The Odyssey" is also drawing attention for its complete takeover of social media. Iconic scenes from the film have been reborn as short-form challenges and memes, evolving beyond simple viewership into a self-driven culture of fan-made content.
The most explosive response has come from the so-called "Odysseus Challenge." Users are posting a wide range of parody videos, from recreating the bowstring scene that only Odysseus can perform using gym equipment to low-budget cosplay versions.
Another popular meme features Odysseus tied to a mast, screaming as he hears the deadly song of the Sirens. That scene has been cleverly combined with everyday situations and turned into a viral meme. Short-form clips that place relatable moments, such as "how I look when I smell food while dieting," into scenes from the film are continuing to spread, fueling fans' playful obsession.
Memes centered on the witch Circe are also gaining traction. Her intense scene, in which she roughly rubs the faces of soldiers gorging themselves in greed and turns them into pigs, has been reimagined by social media users in amusing new ways. Parody videos include people teasing pets by stroking their faces as they steal food, or sneaking up behind friends who are eating and jokingly warning them to watch their diet. Comments such as "I just raided a hot pot restaurant and then watched The Odyssey, and now I'm scared" and "If you binge eat in front of Circe, you'll turn into a pig" show how deeply viewers are engaging with the film.
Finally, the Argos short-form videos, which deliver emotion and comfort, are also hugely popular. Inspired by the story of the loyal dog Argos, who recognizes his owner for the first time in 20 years after his return home, users are creating a variety of videos. Some role-play as Odysseus wrapped in a blanket, showering their pet dogs with endless affection.
In this way, "The Odyssey" has gone beyond the cinematic experience in theaters to create a massive online playground where viewers become the film's characters and reinterpret its iconic scenes in their own way. From the "Odysseus Challenge" to making their own version of Circe and the "Argos POV" with their pets, new content keeps emerging through fans' voluntary participation, underscoring the intense interest and wave of obsession surrounding "The Odyssey."
"The Odyssey" follows the 10-year, turbulent journey of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, as he tries to return home to his family after the Trojan War. The film stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, and Charlize Theron, and is directed by Christopher Nolan, known for "Interstellar," "Dunkirk," "Tenet," and "Oppenheimer."
Jo Ji-young, reporter soulhn1220@sportschosun.com
This article has been translated by GripLabs Mingo AI.
