Grok Releases the First Seven Minutes of Its AI-Generated “Odyssey”

Elon Musk promised an entire feature film made by artificial intelligence. What has arrived so far is a seven-minute first episode. On 23 October, xAI’s video tool Grok Imagine released Episode 1 of an AI-generated adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey, made with an AI film studio and a human director. The Grok Odyssey AI film project is one of the most visible attempts yet at long-form AI-generated movies, and reviews have been mixed. Here is what was released, how it was made, and what it tells us about AI and filmmaking.

What Grok Released

The Grok Imagine account posted the first episode of an “Odyssey” series on X on 23 October 2026, and Musk shared it with a short post of his own. The episode runs about seven minutes. It was made with Grok Imagine in collaboration with Wonder Studios, an AI-native film company, and director Dev Walker, as TechCrunch reported.

Neither post explained how much of the episode the AI generated versus how much the studio edited, what it cost, or how many episodes are planned.

The Promise Versus the Reality

The release follows a bold pledge. In July, Musk wrote that before the year ends, Grok Imagine would make a full-length movie of The Odyssey that would be historically accurate and true to Homer. Variety described the new episode as Musk having partially followed through on that claim, since what has appeared is a short episode rather than a feature film, according to Variety.

The timing is notable. Christopher Nolan’s live-action The Odyssey, filmed largely with practical effects, has been a major box office success and is considered an awards front-runner. Musk had publicly criticised Nolan’s adaptation ahead of its release.

What Reviewers Said

Early reviews were mixed:

• More polished than expected. Some shots were convincing enough to be mistaken for real actors sailing real seas, and the footage was technically better than earlier AI videos Musk has shared.
• Lacking human touch. Critics said it lacked artistry, inspiration and emotional warmth, with stilted dialogue and a generic narrator.
• Visible AI glitches. Viewers on X pointed out visual distortions and errors common in AI-generated video.

TechCrunch’s reviewer said it was hard to imagine audiences wanting much more of it, let alone a full movie.

How AI Films Are Actually Made

The episode is a reminder that AI filmmaking is not a push-button process. Long-form projects need human directors, editors and writers to keep characters consistent, plan shots, and stitch together many short generated clips into a coherent story. The AI generates footage, but people still shape the result.

That matters for the wider debate in Hollywood. AI video tools are improving fast, raising concerns among actors and crews about jobs and the use of their likenesses. At the same time, many creators see AI as a tool that could lower costs and open filmmaking to more people.

Why It Matters

Grok’s Odyssey is effectively a public demonstration of what xAI’s video tool can do with sustained storytelling. If AI can produce watchable long-form content, it could change how films, ads and online videos are made. If audiences reject it as soulless, human craft may remain the main draw for big-screen storytelling.

For more on Musk’s AI projects, see our coverage of Grok Voice 3.0 and the US$300 billion AI giveaway. AI-generated content is spreading across many platforms, as our guide to spotting AI-generated music shows. Our best AI video generators guide compares tools you can try.

A First Episode, Not a Final Verdict

Grok’s Odyssey shows how far AI video has come, and how far it still has to go before it can match human storytelling. It is more polished than past efforts, but critics agree something essential is missing. Watch it as a glimpse of where AI filmmaking is heading, not as proof that it has arrived.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Grok’s Odyssey a full movie?

No. It is a seven-minute first episode of a planned series, not the full-length film Musk promised.

Who made it?

It was made with xAI’s Grok Imagine, AI film studio Wonder Studios and director Dev Walker.

Where can I watch it?

It was posted on X by the Grok Imagine account.

Was it made entirely by AI?

No. Human creators directed and edited the episode, and xAI has not said how much was generated versus edited.