Christopher Nolan Hints Horror Movie Next After The Odyssey

Christopher Nolan has built a career by moving between genres while maintaining his distinct filmmaking style. From superhero films and science fiction to war dramas and now epics like The Odyssey, the Oscar-winning director has rarely repeated himself.

As The Odyssey heads towards theaters, the question is, what is the filmmaker looking forward to next? Well, surprisingly, Nolan revealed in a new interview with Fred Asquith that his next creative challenge could be something he has never tried before: the horror genre.

Christopher Nolan Finds the Horror Genre Deeply Compelling

Chris Nolan wants to do a horror film | Credits: Youtube/BFI

Christopher Nolan recently sat down with Fred Asquith in a new interview while doing promotions for his latest, The Odyssey. When Asquith asked Nolan whether he would ever consider making a full horror movie, since he is a well-known admirer of other filmmakers like Stanley Kubrick, Nolan replied:

However, Nolan did acknowledge that his other films, like Oppenheimer and The Odyssey, do contain significant horror-esque material and themes. He has tried his best to fully embrace those themes as and when he could, but has yet to find something as appealing as making a complete horror film.

That did not stop the Oscar-winning director from remarking that he considers the genre “essentially cinematic, visceral,” and a type of filmmaking he really enjoys since it really gives the “audience a feeling of what the characters are experiencing.” His comments strongly suggest that a horror film is high on his list once The Odyssey is complete. The filmmaker made it clear that horror is the one genre he finds creatively rewarding and would like to tackle under the right circumstances.

Our Take on Christopher Nolan Directing a Horror Movie

Although Christopher Nolan has never directed a conventional horror movie, as he highlighted in the above-mentioned interview, elements of the genre have appeared throughout his filmography. If we look at some of his previous films, we can find ample examples of the same.

Memento tends to create unease through fragmented memory, while The Prestige blends psychological suspense. Oppenheimer includes several sequences that intentionally evoke dread with its dark material. Even his latest, The Odyssey, which has already received positive first reactions, contains significant horror elements in its original text that the filmmaker has tried to adapt.

Christopher Nolan’s movies prove that he is a master in building tension before gradually revealing information, a technique that many of the genre’s strongest filmmakers are famous for. So there is no question that he could make a pretty good horror movie if he tried.

Given his previous work, it is unlikely he would pursue a conventional haunted house tale. Rather, a horror movie by Nolan would likely gravitate towards original concepts or a blend of multiple genres. Moreover, he is known for his commitment to IMAX photography, practical effects, and location shooting, which could certainly result in a horror film that feels more tactile and immersive.

Perhaps the biggest appeal is that horror remains one of the few major genres Nolan hasn’t explored directly. Not only would it be a way to challenge himself, but his fans would love to see him trying. 

The idea of Christopher Nolan entering the horror space is incredibly exciting for sure. What kind of horror story do you hope he tells? Let us know in the comments below.

The Odyssey will be in theaters on July 17, 2026.