According to Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images, Charlize Theron’s appearance as Calypso in Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster The Odyssey has ignited viral internet discussions, with viewers widely comparing her draped costume to a popular novelty burrito blanket. The film, which premiered on July 14 at the AMC Lincoln Square Theater, has crossed US$650-million worldwide in its first 10 days at the box office, ranking as the sixth-highest grossing Hollywood film this year according to Variety.
Viral Wardrobe Choices and Internet Reaction
Audiences across TikTok, Reddit, X, and Letterboxd quickly fastened onto the costume design for Calypso, the sea nymph who holds Matt Damon’s Odysseus captive for seven years. Viewers pointed out that the beige, circular shawl draped around Theron resembles an unleavened flatbread with blistered spots. According to an X post with nearly three million views cited in source reporting, a scene featuring the character evokes the look of a fragrance advertisement paired with a polyester tortilla blanket.
Another Letterboxd reviewer joked about the wardrobe choice within a massive production, writing that a US$250-million budget resulted in a character wearing a tortilla blanket akin to items sold on Amazon. The specific novelty item referenced by online commentators—the Casofu Burritos Tortilla Throw Blanket—saw a surge in popularity following pandemic-era trends for gag gifts, matching Wirecutter product recommendations.
Controversy and Preceding Backlash
Before facing social media commentary over costume choices, The Odyssey navigated high-profile cultural and academic friction. Billionaire Elon Musk posted extensively on X to complain that the movie appeared “woke,” stating that director Christopher Nolan was “pissing on Homer’s grave” over the casting of Black and trans actors. Musk subsequently suggested he might bankroll a historically accurate version directed by Mel Gibson or spin up an AI-generated adaptation.
The film also faced critique from classical scholars, notably star classicist Emily Wilson. Although Nolan cited Wilson’s translation of the epic poem as a key inspiration, Wilson distanced herself from the project in a biting essay published online by the London Review of Books. Wilson contended that she would have been embarrassed to write any part of the script, stating it lacked psychological, emotional, political, and ethical depth. Traffic to the essay temporarily crashed the London Review of Books website.
Costume Comparisons in Recent Blockbusters
Despite the widespread jokes surrounding the burrito blanket, industry observers note it is not the most-mocked costume in recent Hollywood releases. That distinction belongs to the “sex cardigan” worn in Wicked: For Good. Midway through the sequel, characters Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo, and Fiyero, played by Jonathan Bailey, slip into a chunky mid-calf wool cardigan with thousands of extraneous threads during a romantic scene.
The knitwear choice sparked intense debate across cultural outlets. Vulture published a feature titled “I’m Being Driven Insane By Wicked: For Good’s Sex Cardigan,” while the London Standard defended the garment with a piece titled “Stop the knitwear slander – the Wicked: For Good sex cardigan is good, actually.”
Director Christopher Nolan is unlikely to be bothered by the ongoing internet humor surrounding the costume. According to profile details, the filmmaker does not own a smartphone, an email address, or a social media account, leaving the viral reception entirely to audiences online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the burrito blanket costume in The Odyssey?
Viewers on social media noted that a beige, circular shawl worn by Charlize Theron as Calypso strongly resembles a novelty tortilla blanket sold online.
How much has The Odyssey earned at the box office?
According to Variety, the film grossed more than US$650-million worldwide in its first 10 days, making it the sixth-highest grossing Hollywood film of the year.
Why did classical scholars criticize the film?
Classicist Emily Wilson published an essay in the London Review of Books criticizing the script’s lack of depth, despite Nolan citing her translation as a primary inspiration.
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