Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche deliver a haunting return in latest film

The film showcasing the reunion of Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche is titled The Return, directed by Uberto Pasolini. It premiered in cinemas on April 11, 2025, and presents a retelling of Homer's The Odyssey, stripping away the mythological elements common to the original tale. In this adaptation, Fiennes portrays Odysseus, who returns to his home in Ithaca after two decades of war and sea voyages, burdened by survivor's guilt and PTSD, themes that resonate deeply with modern audiences. This version takes a profoundly anti-war stance, suggesting the emotional toll on a soldier's psyche as he grapples with his past and the realities of reintegration into civilian life. The film, however, has been criticized for failing to engage with its source material in a meaningful way. Several reviewers note that the removal of gods and monsters from the narrative may serve to create a more relatable, human story, yet it dilutes the emotional impact and epic scope of the original epic. Despite the promising concept, many found the execution lacking, reducing the rich complexity of the myth to a tale of melancholy and muted despair. Further complicating matters is the reliance on the audience's nostalgia for Fiennes and Binoche, who last shared the screen nearly three decades ago in The English Patient. Their reunion is heavily publicized, leading many to expect a compelling dynamic that would elevate the film. However, critics suggest that while Fiennes imbues Odysseus with a visceral physicality, his performance is overshadowed by the film's broader thematic failings. Binoche’s portrayal of Penelope is similarly constrained, earning her praise for steadfastness but critiqued for a lack of depth in the exploration of her character’s emotional struggles. As the film unfolds, it raises questions about the nature of heroism, love, and the burdens carried by those who return from war. Fiennes' Odysseus appears to fear that his wife may no longer love him for the man he has become, an exploration of themes like personal sacrifice and existential dread. While it seems to offer a thoughtful commentary on the scars left by conflict, the overall impact has been viewed as too monotonous, leading to a toned-down experience rather than the passionate reunion depicted in the original texts of The Odyssey.