Why queers are obsessed with Achillean friendships

If your feed is currently a chaotic mix of Zendaya giving withering stares as Athena and people losing their minds over the new adaptation of The Odyssey, you aren’t alone. We’ve all seen the clips. When Tom Holland’s Telemachus is told he is "pining for a daddy he didn't even know," it isn't just a line for the internet to meme into oblivion. This film takes us back into the greek myths of olde with heroic friendships and relationships the queer community cherishes and craves. While we might have gone for a slightly "queerer" casting choice for the lead, the return to Homeric lore has sparked a much deeper discussion: why do we crave the Achillean frequency so much in 2026? The antidote to the loneliness epidemic In the middle of a documented loneliness epidemic, these ancient tales hit a very specific nerve. We aren't just looking for "friends" to grab a casual drink with. We are looking for the kind of trust and ardent understanding that existed between the heroes of the classics. The Achillean bond is a friendship that is so intense it is impossible to untangle from love. It is about being truly seen, understood, and trusted in a way that feels increasingly rare in a world of surface-level digital follows. We want a peer who looks at us and sees a god, or at least someone worth fighting a ten-year war for. Odysseus and the trap of hyper-independence While we love the epic scale of the journey, Odysseus himself serves as a major cautionary tale for hyper-independence. He is the ultimate ghost, spending a decade "finding himself" while his village and his family deal with the fallout of his absence. In 2026, we’ve realized that we don't all get a Penelope to wait at home while we’re on a side quest. The move is to stop being the wandering ghost and start being the friend who stays and shows up. Real strength isn't about how long you can survive alone; it is about the quality of the people you surround yourself with. Reclaiming the queer lore For too long, these myths were sanitized by historians who wanted to keep them "roommate" friendly. But the community is finally screaming the truth from the rooftops. Whether it is reclaiming Apollo as a bisexual icon or finally telling the story of Iphis and Ianthe properly, we’re pining for our own history. This new wave of Homeric obsession is also re-awakening the old-school fandoms. From the "Song of Achilles" girlies to the "Nico di Angelo" goths who are still following Rick Riordan’s latest work, we’re all myth-munching like mad together. Reading and debating the classics isn't just an academic exercise; it is a new way to drive your friend group up the wall ;) Finding your Athena on Collective Whether you’re seeing the film while summering in the Mediterranean, making the trek to a wintry Sydney or Melbourne to see the film on the big screen or you’re staying home to re-read Madeline Miller, you shouldn't do it alone. The best part of these myths or heroes and gods is having someone to yap about it with. Switch up your Interests tags on your Collective profile to find your own circle of mythology nerds. Add "Ancient History" or "Literature" to and see who matches your frequency. Head to the Discussions tab to share your reviews or your favorite memes from the film.