Tron: Ares review – Sci-fi sequel has style but lacks substance

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Okay, so I was really excited for *Tron: Ares*, but honestly, it feels a bit unnecessary. While it *looks* amazing – seriously, the visuals are incredible – and Nine Inch Nails absolutely nailed the soundtrack, the movie itself doesn’t really bring anything new to the table. It’s pretty to watch, but I’m not sure it needed to be made.

Tron is a unique series that began in the early 1980s. Its first film was known for its innovative visual effects and explored the relationship between humans and computers by imagining people *inside* machines.

The initial idea behind the film was actually more compelling than the movie itself, likely explaining the long wait for a follow-up. Although the 2010 sequel, *Tron: Legacy*, did reasonably well, it’s now mostly known for Daft Punk’s energetic music, proving that style and atmosphere once again overshadowed the story.

After a fifteen-year wait, the new Tron film, *Tron: Ares*, unfortunately repeats the errors of past movies: it’s visually and audibly impressive, but lacks compelling characters and a gripping story.

What is Tron: Ares about?

Tron: Legacy hinted at a follow-up where Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund) and Quorra (Olivia Wilde) would have an adventure in the real world. However, the new film largely abandons that idea, instead focusing on a conflict between rival companies.

Eve Kim (Greta Lee), now running ENCOM after the Flynns disappeared, is dealing with the loss of her sister – which is the extent of her character’s backstory. She doesn’t think the rise of artificial intelligence is something to fear.

So, there’s this new villain, Julian Dillinger, played by Evan Peters, and he’s got some serious issues. He’s the grandson of the original Tron bad guy, and honestly, he thinks he’s a god. He’s covered in computer circuit tattoos, which is a cool look, but it turns out he’s trying to connect our world to the digital Grid. Sounds kinda epic, right? Nope. It’s totally predictable – he wants to build weapons for the military. Classic villain stuff, honestly.

So, this guy Dillinger basically uses a massive 3D printer to build what he calls the ultimate security system – digital soldiers. They’re super powerful, really quick, and get the job done. The cool part is, if one gets taken out, I can just print another one. It’s like having an endless army!

There’s a big flaw with his plan: the computer-created objects only last for 29 minutes before disappearing. While this creates a sense of urgency in the movie, it’s not helpful for Julian, who’s trying to take over the world.

Tron: Ares becomes: Tron MacGuffin

Julian is looking for a way to solve his problem, and Eve Kim discovers it through a key plot device in the movie ‘The Permanence Code.’ This discovery eliminates the time pressure he was facing.

The film largely revolves around who controls this crucial code, ultimately leading to the exciting moment fans have been waiting for: Light Cycles appearing in the real world.

In a thrilling chase sequence, Ares (played by Jared Leto), the leader known as ‘Master Control,’ and his partner Athena (Jodie Turner-Smith) pursue Eve on a motorcycle. They speed through city streets, jumping over cars and dramatically splitting police vehicles in half with what appears to be a blade.

From this point forward, the movie alternates between the real world and a digital one as the Permanence Code is stolen in a high-tech robbery, leading to a string of exciting action scenes.

Skating the surface of sentience

Beyond the action sequences, Tron 3 explores the idea of artificial intelligence, focusing on the question of what gives a computer program meaning or a reason to exist.

Ares quickly understands that people like him are completely disposable, leading him to first disregard orders and ultimately rebel.

Through his connection with Eve, he begins to understand empathy, leading to an unlikely and humorous partnership as they work together to defeat Dillinger. This experience then results in awkward moments where Ares tries to connect with humanity by developing an unexpected fondness for 1980s music, particularly Depeche Mode.

This is where the film struggles. The idea of AI gaining control and becoming dominant is a major concern today, and it’s a topic with a lot of potential, as demonstrated by films like Blade Runner, The Matrix, and Ex Machina, and the recent series Alien: Earth.

Jesse Wigutow’s script only touches on the deeper issues at a surface level, quickly returning to the exciting visuals and action. While the film looks impressive, it prioritizes style over meaningful content.

Is Tron: Ares good?

The original Tron film told the story of a programmer fighting back against a company that stole his work, and the impressive visuals helped bring that relatable story to life.

The latest Tron film focuses on conflicts between wealthy tech billionaires, a premise that’s difficult to connect with emotionally, ultimately making the movie feel unsatisfying.

Directed by Joachim Rønning, the film is visually stunning. The music, composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails, enhances the beautiful imagery and often makes the experience even better.

Greta Lee is charming as the main character, and like Mark Hamill in Star Wars, she keeps the story relatable by encouraging viewers to accept even the most fantastical elements.

Jared Leto’s portrayal of Ares falls flat, and the film doesn’t succeed in making him a likable or compelling character. This is a significant issue, especially since the movie increasingly focuses on his story.

Tron: Ares score: 2/5

Tron: Ares immediately impresses with its stunning music and visuals. However, once the initial excitement fades, the weak story and characters struggle to hold your attention for the full two hours. Ultimately, it feels less like a compelling movie and more like an extended commercial or music video.

The new movie *Tron: Ares* will be released on October 10, 2025. If you’re looking for great science fiction films, check out our list of the best ever right here.

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2025-10-08 16:20