Elon Musk is locked in an online feud with Tom Holland over Christopher Nolan’s upcoming blockbuster “The Odyssey.”
Only, it’s not Tom Holland, the British actor who stars in the film, but an eminent British historian of the ancient world who shares the same name.
After months of Musk and other detractors deriding Nolan’s film, Holland, author and host of “The Rest is History’ podcast, took to X to say he thought it was “the best cinematic adaptation of a Greek myth I have ever seen.”
He also shared a Guardian article of positive reviews, swiping at people criticizing the film without having seen it.
More praise for The Odyssey from people who – shockingly – have actually waited to see it before giving their opinion. https://t.co/o9UPOJ3c7F
— Tom Holland (@holland_tom) July 7, 2026
Musk’s response to this was short and to the point, insulting Holland.
Tom Holland is such a cuck
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 7, 2026
The billionaire didn’t specify which Tom Holland he had in mind, briefly sending X into a scramble over whether the world’s richest man had just insulted Spider-Man.
In Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” actor Tom Holland plays Telemachus, son of the titular character Odysseus, played by Matt Damon.
Users quickly realized that the insult was directed at the historian, who took the swipe in stride.
“Very happy to say it again. The Odyssey is an amazing film,” Holland posted. “Missing out on seeing it because you think it’s woke or whatever is cutting off your nose to spite your face. Your loss.”
Very happy to say it again. The Odyssey is an amazing film, and missing out on seeing it because you think it’s woke or whatever is cutting off your nose to spite your face. Your loss. https://t.co/B2FiL2zwxD
— Tom Holland (@holland_tom) July 8, 2026
Tom Holland, the historian, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
The exchange is the latest flash point in Musk’s long-running criticism of the film, which he has attacked repeatedly since January, starting with the casting of Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy.
In response to a post criticizing the casting of Nyong’o, a Black woman, Musk said Nolan had “lost his integrity” and later said the director “desecrated the Odyssey” to qualify for an Academy Award, a reference to the Oscars’ diversity standards for Best Picture eligibility.
The Academy Awards introduced new criteria in 2024 aimed at boosting representation and inclusion in Hollywood. Under the new standards, films must meet certain requirements to be considered for Oscars, though they do not mandate diverse casting and can be satisfied through off-screen criteria.
Chris Nolan has lost his integrity
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 31, 2026
Musk has also amplified posts attacking Elliot Page, who plays Sinon, Odysseus’s cousin, and responded with “true” to a claim that the movie is part of a plot to “destroy Western Civilization.”
While Musk has railed against the film, early reactions have been hugely positive.
In excerpts of reviews shared online, many critics lauded the movie. Andrew J. Salazar, Discussing Film managing editor, called it a “staggering achievement,” and film critic Simon Thompson said: “Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is flawless filmmaking, every inch as epic as you’d expect.”
IndieWire’s Anne Thompson said it was the Best Picture contender to beat, and tipped Matt Damon for his first acting Oscar.
My high expectations were met at Chris Nolan’s stunningly mounted The Odyssey in IMAX 70 mm. Matt Damon could win Best Actor and a bevy of supporting thesps and noms will follow. The BP to beat.
— Anne Thompson (@akstanwyck) July 6, 2026
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