Jon Bernthal says working on Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey felt “like church,” shedding new light on the filmmaker’s distinctive approach behind the scenes. While the mythological epic continues to dominate headlines ahead of its release, the actor reflected on the intense focus and human connection that defined the production. And for Bernthal, that remarkable atmosphere began long before the cameras started rolling.

Before audiences witness Christopher Nolan’s epic vision on screen, here is what Bernthal has to say about the filmmaker who has already transformed the experience behind the camera.

Speaking to CinemaBlend, Jon Bernthal revealed that he had already heard stories about Christopher Nolan’s famous no-phone policy before joining The Odyssey. Recalling his wife’s reaction, the actor joked that the set “sounds like church,” before admitting she was absolutely right. Once filming began, Bernthal quickly understood why the rule mattered, saying it helped create an environment where everyone remained fully present.

" I heard that there were no phones on his set, and my wife was like, you got to do that. It sounds like church." Bernthal told CinemaBlend.

For the actor, however, the phones were only a small part of what made the production so remarkable. Talking further with CinemaBlend, Bernthal described The Odyssey as both enormous in scale and surprisingly intimate, explaining that despite feeling like “the hugest movie ever made,” every moment on set carried an unusual sense of urgency. Every take mattered, every second counted, and he credited that atmosphere to Nolan’s leadership behind the camera.

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That unwavering focus appears to have paid off, with The Odyssey already rewriting Christopher Nolan’s record books before reaching audiences worldwide.

Arriving in theatres and IMAX on July 17, The Odyssey marks Christopher Nolan’s first feature since his Oscar-winning Oppenheimer. Led by Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong’o, and Jon Bernthal, the $250 million epic brings Homer’s legendary poem to life using next-generation IMAX cameras and Nolan’s signature practical filmmaking approach.

The anticipation has already translated into extraordinary acclaim. Debuting with a near-perfect 99% Rotten Tomatoes score before settling at 98%, The Odyssey has officially become the highest-rated film of Christopher Nolan’s career, surpassing The Dark Knight, Memento, and even Oppenheimer. With critics already hailing it as the filmmaker’s finest achievement, audiences are now counting down to discover whether the excitement extends beyond the reviews.

With The Odyssey just hours away from its global release, Jon Bernthal’s behind-the-scenes revelation offers another glimpse into the filmmaking culture Christopher Nolan has spent decades building. 

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What are your thoughts on Jon Bernthal’s description of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey set? Let us know in the comments.