Μake us preferred on Google Canadian stunt performer Devin Dalton has found herself unexpectedly in the spotlight after Matt Damon publicly praised her work on Christopher Nolan’s film The Odyssey, calling her arms “the most incredible” he had ever seen.
Dalton, 34, said she was filming a new project in New Zealand when her phone began “exploding” with notifications at around 4 a.m. after Damon’s comments were published.
The Hollywood star, who plays Odysseus in Nolan’s adaptation of the Homeric epic, made the remark while discussing one of the film’s key action sequences. When a journalist assumed the muscular arms seen on screen belonged to Damon, the actor corrected him, explaining that they actually belonged to Dalton, his stunt double.
Despite standing just 4 feet 6 inches (1.37 meters) tall compared with Damon’s 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters), Dalton portrayed the legendary Greek hero in the film’s most dangerous scenes.
Nolan’s Movie Magic
According to Dalton, Nolan used forced perspective during scenes featuring the giant Laestrygonians to make Odysseus’ army appear tiny by comparison. One image of Dalton, filmed from behind with a sword drawn, has even been featured on one of the movie’s official posters.
Dalton began her career as a dancer before entering the stunt industry in 2011 with the Planet of the Apes trilogy. More recently, she has worked on Weapons and The Last of Us.
She said the work can be so dangerous that she never tells her mother exactly what she is doing. “I just tell her, ‘I’m leaving for work,’ because otherwise she’d be terrified.”
A Rare Role for a Female Stunt Performer
The Odyssey marks the first time Dalton has served as the stunt double for a major male Hollywood star, an uncommon achievement in an industry where women account for only about 20% of stunt performers.
Speaking to The New York Times, Dalton said it is unusual for a woman to double for a male lead but explained that physical suitability and specialized skills matter more than gender.
“With makeup, costumes and hair, we can work miracles,” she said, adding that she never expected such a credit to appear on her résumé.
Dalton also thanked Damon for publicly recognizing her work, noting that stunt performers are usually expected to remain invisible. “If you’ve done your job properly, the audience shouldn’t realize it’s you.”
Years of Training Behind Every Scene
Dalton said she worked closely with Damon to replicate his movements, carefully studying details such as the way he walks and carries himself to make the transitions seamless on screen.
She emphasized that stunt work requires constant preparation, saying her training never stops. Previous roles have included demanding underwater fight scenes, requiring specialized instruction in water safety, breath-holding techniques and working in freezing conditions while wearing costumes and makeup.
Asked whether dangerous scenes frighten her, Dalton said her biggest challenge is the pressure she places on herself. “For me, fear always comes from setting the bar very high. I always want to do my job perfectly.”
