You probably didn’t guess that some of Matt Damon’s most jaw-dropping stunts in Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ weren’t even done by him. If Odysseus looked a little bulkier or more agile than normal, you can thank Devyn Dalton: a 34-year-old stunt performer whose skills brought some of the film’s wildest action to life.When The Odyssey hit theaters, people couldn’t stop talking about Damon’s performance, especially those intense moments facing down the massive Laestrygonians. But here’s the twist: it wasn’t always Damon up there, fighting those battles. A lot of the muscle and movement fans saw on screen belonged to Dalton. She’s been doubling for him in the toughest spots, and her work is only now getting the recognition it deserves.Now, Dalton is not just an ordinary stuntwoman. Originally from Canada, she started as a competitive dancer and then expanded into gymnastics and martial arts before landing in the world of stunts. That background made her incredibly versatile; she’s just as comfortable performing wirework as she is nailing intricate fight choreography. Honestly, Hollywood has kept her busy for years, but she’s only now stepping into the limelight.
Matt Damon’s surprise revelation
The story first got out when Damon himself chatted on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. He joked that if his arms looked especially ripped in the film, fans should thank “the woman with the best arms I’ve ever seen,” and he wasn’t kidding.Damon explained how Christopher Nolan created the illusion of enormous Laestrygonians (the giant cannibals from Homer’s epic) without relying heavily on computer-generated imagery. And because Nolan was shooting many scenes using practical effects instead of CGI, he needed different-sized performers to create the illusion of towering giants. Seven-foot-tall stunt performers portrayed the giants, while performers under five feet tall doubled for Damon in specific shots to exaggerate the size difference.That’s where Dalton, who’s just under five feet tall, came in.Damon talked about meeting her for the first time at the catering tent and how grateful he was for what she pulled off on his behalf. “My double was a woman, a female stunt performer, who had the greatest arms I’ve ever seen,” he revealed.
Devyn Dalton: In the spotlight
Paying a nod to Damon’s revelation, Devyn Dalton later posted some behind-the-scenes clips on Instagram, showing her stunt work and sharing how proud she felt to be part of such a big project.But she wasn’t new to this kind of work. Dalton’s career is stacked with standout credits. She’s doubled for actors in major movies and TV series, including The Last of Us and the Planet of the Apes franchise, where she handled everything from performance capture to complicated stunts. Stunt performers like Dalton train constantly, not for just one role, but year-round. So their fitness and conditioning are always on point. Her strength isn’t about building muscle for looks; it’s functional, the result of years grinding away in training for whatever a set might throw at her next.Now, as one might assume, stunt work is more than just muscle. It takes precision, grit, and nerves of steel. Dalton and others like her repeat risky stunts again and again so that it all looks smooth and believable, while keeping everyone safe. It’s tough stuff, but Dalton makes it look easy.It’s not just her physical talents that make her stand out. She’s been recognized across the industry as someone who adapts quickly, can handle tricky choreography, and supports lead actors so they shine. But until recently, stunt performers like her haven’t gotten much of the spotlight. Now, with her name attached to such a high-profile project, and with Damon making sure people know about her, Dalton’s finally getting her due.
Bigger than ‘The Odyssey’
Dalton’s story also shines a light on women in the world of stunts. For years, women have stepped in to double for not just actresses, but sometimes actors, especially when a film’s visual tricks make it necessary. Nolan’s decision to use Dalton for the forced perspective shots in The Odyssey is just one example of how filmmakers still rely on practical stunts instead of just letting computers do all the work. Fans online have been loving that approach, and a lot of the praise has gone to Dalton for her strength and skill.Dalton herself says this new attention means more than just a few viral moments. For most stunt performers, recognition is rare, as they’re the ones taking the risks, often in silence, so the lead actors can shine. With Matt Damon giving her credit, at least now audiences are seeing there’s more to a blockbuster than its stars.
