Matt Damon Admits Interstellar Left Him in Tears—Here’s Why
Matt Damon opens up about the emotional impact of Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, sharing how its powerful story of a father and daughter moved him deeply. He also talks about his favorite Nolan film and their next big project together.
Christopher Nolan ’s sweeping sci-fi adventure Interstellar has left a lasting impression on audiences—and even on its own cast. Matt Damon, who made a memorable appearance as the duplicitous Dr. Mann in the 2014 film, recently revealed just how much the story resonated with him on a personal level.
Starring Matthew McConaughey, Interstellar follows a group of explorers who travel through a wormhole near Saturn, searching for a new home for humanity. The film, which paid homage to Stanley Kubrick ’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, was a box office hit, grossing over $773 million worldwide on a $165 million budget.
Matt Damon Reflects on Interstellar’s Emotional Core
While promoting his latest Netflix thriller The Rip, Damon was asked to pick his favorite Christopher Nolan film. After considering Inception, he ultimately chose Interstellar, explaining that its emotional depth struck a chord with him. Damon shared,
“I love them all is the truth. Interstellar, I watched again when it was re-released and I don't think I could see it the first time because I was in it—a small role, but I was still in it and had read the script within a year of seeing it, so I don't think I really saw it.
I remember the experience of reading the script and sobbing, because I think it's about a father missing the life of his daughter and my kids were young, and that was such a terrifying thought to me that it really moved me. I had that experience again watching the film a decade later. I was really moved by that one.”
The film’s heartbreaking time dilation twist means McConaughey’s character, Joseph Cooper, spends nearly 90 years away from Earth. By the time he returns, his son has passed away and his daughter Murph is on her deathbed, making their reunion all the more poignant.
Nolan and Damon Reunite for The Odyssey
This summer, Damon and Nolan are teaming up once again for their third film together—a full-scale IMAX adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey. Their last collaboration, Oppenheimer, saw Damon portray General Leslie Groves, the real-life director of the Manhattan Project, opposite Cillian Murphy’s J. Robert Oppenheimer. This time, Damon steps into the role of Odysseus, the legendary King of Ithaca, fighting to return home after the Trojan War.
The Odyssey is shaping up to be Nolan’s most ambitious project yet. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Charlize Theron, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Jon Bernthal, and Robert Pattinson, and was shot across several continents to capture its epic scale. Damon described the experience as,
“It was absolutely the pinnacle of my entire career. I loved every minute of it. I just loved it.”
Stay Tuned for More Nolan and Damon
Whether you’re drawn to the raw emotion of Interstellar or excited for the upcoming Odyssey, there’s plenty more to come from this dynamic duo. For fans eager to keep up with Nolan’s latest films, casting news, exclusive interviews, and in-depth analysis, subscribing to our newsletter is the best way to stay in the loop.