Tron: Ares Review: Tron: Ares is meant to be the triumphant return of a franchise that used to set the standard for what “cool sci-fi visuals” looked like. What we got instead was a two-hour neon fever dream that’s stunning to look at but hardly says anything at all.
As a Tron Legacy fan myself, I went into Tron: Ares expecting the same combination of tech mysticism, emotion, and an iconic soundtrack. But the truth? It’s a movie that tries to pass as a reboot, not a sequel, with absolutely no emotional tie to what had previously occurred.
The Long-Awaited Return to the Grid
After over a decade, we finally get to see the Grid, or at least some iteration of it. The virtual world that was so alive, enigmatic, and futuristic is relegated largely to the sidelines now. Tron: Ares spends far too much time, however, in the real world, which ironically seems less alive than that neon circuit landscape we left behind.
This time, it’s about Dillinger Systems — Encom’s arch-nemesis — and the man behind them, Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters). Their major breakthrough? Being able to bring digital programs into the real world. Crazy notion, isn’t it? Except that there is a bug in the process, and everyone is battling to correct it.
My Rating: 2.5/5
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Tron: Ares |
| Release Date | 10 October 2025 |
| Genre | Science Fiction, Action, Adventure |
| Directed by | Joachim Ronning |
| Produced by | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Written by | Jesse Wigutow, Jack Thorne |
| Main Cast | Jared Leto (Ares), Evan Peters (Julian Dillinger), Greta Lee (Eve Kim) |
| Runtime | 1h 59m |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Director Spotlight: Joachim Ronning’s Attempt at Rebooting Tron
Directed by Joachim Rønning, who directed Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil before this, you can sense the Disney fingerprints everywhere. Huge pictures, ballooned runtime, and trying to balance emotional trajectories with lots of heavy CGI.
Trouble is, the heart is not there. Rønning gets the look right but loses the soul. It’s like seeing a flawlessly executed imitation of a Tron film; it works, but it’s not alive.
What’s the Story This Time?
On paper, Tron: Ares is a groovy sequel. Programs invading the real world? A conflict of conscience regarding AI consciousness? That is rich sci-fi stuff.
But in practice, it’s remarkably hollow. Jared Leto’s Ares, a sentient program, starts getting a conscience, wondering why he exists. Humans, meanwhile, bicker over how to harness or monetize this new technology.
It could’ve been a commentary on creation, on ethics, or even on digital identity. Instead, it becomes a scavenger hunt for a plot point (the “thing” that repairs the “process”) that doesn’t even really matter.
Evan Peters as Julian Dillinger: The New Tech Villain
Evan Peters at least appears to be having a good time. His quirky, self-satisfied tech-bro presence injects the film with some energy whenever he appears.
He’s not exactly a bad guy in the sense of Flynn vs. Clu, rather, a frenzied Elon Musk/Lex Luthor hybrid. His agenda for his company makes sense within the world of Tron, but the film never delves into it deeply enough to make him stand out.
Nonetheless, Peters’ performance is one of the few times you’re reminded that somebody is having fun behind the camera.
Jared Leto as Ares: When Code Develops a Conscience
Joe Leto is a wild card. Now and then he’s riveting (Blade Runner 2049), now and then he’s… Morbius. In Tron: Ares, he’s somewhere in the middle. Like a digital being discovering himself, his performance is interesting, even if it sometimes veers into robotic flatline.
There are moments of greatness, especially when Ares attempts to grasp humor or morality, but they never quite coalesce into something substantial.
Greta Lee as Eve Kim: The Overlooked CEO
Greta Lee stars as Eve Kim, the head of Encom, which would have been a huge thing considering how Tron Legacy ended. Instead, her character is lost in a sea of unnecessary supporting characters and information dumps.
She’s allegedly the heart of the human heart of the film, but she feels like an afterthought by the end. Frustrating, because Lee is a commanding performer, but Tron: Ares doesn’t give her much to work with.
A Visual Spectacle, As Always
No shock here: Tron: Ares looks great. The instant the grid lights up, you know that the effects team spent everything making it shine. The neon color contrasts, reflections, and motion graphics are breathtaking, particularly in IMAX. In 2D, it’s an eye feast.
But a story can’t be carried by visuals alone. It’s like polishing a sports car without an engine. You can look at it, of course, but you won’t be going anywhere.
The Soundtrack by Nine Inch Nails – The Real Hero
If Tron Legacy got Daft Punk, Tron: Ares gets Nine Inch Nails, and they don’t disappoint.
The soundtrack is fire. From building atmospheric tension to pounding the beat, each song is a knockout. Some even resonate with Daft Punk’s sounds, providing you with that nostalgic glimmer of recognition.
It’s the only portion of the film that comes across as truly linked to Tron Legacy. You may not recall the story, but you’ll recall how the music made you feel.
Why It Doesn’t Feel Like a Sequel
Here’s the biggest issue: Tron: Ares doesn’t feel like it’s part of the same universe. There isn’t a reference to the ISOs, no continuation of Flynn’s legacy, and no returning characters aside from one cringeworthy cameo. Thematically, it’s not connected.
You could remove the Tron branding and release this as a standalone sci-fi film, and no one would care that it’s missing.
Themes That Could’ve Worked but Didn’t
The film tantalizes with compelling concepts, AI consciousness, human greed, and the morality of creation, but never follows through.
Rather, it hurries from one action sequence to another without anything to say. It’s almost as though the film is too frightened to slow down long enough for you to recognize that it has nothing to say.
Too Many Characters, Not Enough Heart
You know a film is in trouble when you find yourself forgetting characters. Tron: Ares saddles us with too many new characters without providing arcs or motivations to care about them.
All the emotional moments are rushed or empty, making you feel disconnected from events. Even the attempts at comic relief are flat, more eye-rolls than chuckles.
The Nostalgia Bait Problem
There is a thin line between paying homage and begging for it, and Tron: Ares blurs that line. References to Legacy are clumsy, as if the film’s attempting to recall you for why you enjoyed the earlier films rather than doing that work itself. When nostalgia is used as a crutch, it simply serves to remind you how thin the new work is.
My Opinion of the Film’s Strong and Weak Points
I left the cinema conflicted. On the positive side, it’s beautiful visually and startling aurally. On the negative side, it’s emotionally hollow. It’s like being handed a beautifully wrapped gift box and opening it to find… air.
Also Read: The Lost Bus Review: The Wildfire Movie That’ll Leave You Shaking
The Good vs. The Bad in Tron: Ares
| The Good | The Bad |
|---|---|
| Stunning visuals, especially in IMAX | Emotionally hollow story |
| Nine Inch Nails soundtrack — pure fire | Zero connection to Tron Legacy |
| Evan Peters’ chaotic energy | Greta Lee wasted in a forgettable role |
| Jared Leto shows moments of depth | Too many characters, weak arcs |
| Action sequences look great | Forced nostalgia and empty themes |
Final Verdict: A Neon-Colored Letdown
Tron: Ares had it all going for it: legacy, talent, budget, and fan expectation. But somehow, it ends up being the least Tron-like of the bunch. Yes, it dazzles the eyes and the ears, but not the soul of Tron, that mixture of wonder and contemplation.
At the end of the day, I’ll remember the soundtrack longer than I’ll remember the movie. Rating: 2.5/5 – Watch it for the visual and music, skip it if you’re expecting a true sequel.
Conclusion
Tron: Ares is such a digital world that it is gorgeous to behold, hollow beneath. If you adored Tron Legacy for its emotional and philosophical overtones, this one will not get under your skin.
Anyway, I won’t deny it, I’ll be listening to that soundtrack on repeat. Perhaps that’s the true legacy of this movie.
FAQs
Q1. Is Tron: Ares a direct sequel to Tron Legacy?
Not directly. It’s more of a spiritual successor with few connections to what happened in Legacy.
Q2. Do any original cast members return?
There’s one cameo, but it comes across as more of a fan service than a substantial continuation.
Q3. Who did the soundtrack for Tron: Ares?
Nine Inch Nails, and they totally succeeded. The soundtrack is perhaps the highlight of the movie.
Q4. Do I watch it in 3D or 2D?
If you do watch it, watch it in 3D or IMAX. The graphics are beautiful and worth the extra dimension.
Q5. Will there be a next Tron movie after this?
There are indications that a forthcoming film could bring Legacy back together, but nothing concrete as yet.
