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Review: ‘Tron: Ares’ is a Next-Generation Sequel that Thinks It’s Smarter and Edgier than It Actually Is
October 9, 2025Ben MK
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Just like the life cycle of consumer technology, blockbuster movie franchises generally follow a predictable pattern. With each successive sequel trying to top the previous by being bigger, better and more spectacular, it's not unlike the evolution of video game consoles, where the next generation always boasts improved graphics, heftier computing power, and a more impressive roster of games than the generations that have come before. No matter what the genre, it's a tried-and-true formula that has served many a big-screen series well, from comic-inspired action like The Avengers to sci-fi adventures like Star Wars. And with the latest installment in the Tron franchise, Tron: Ares, director Joachim Rønning is following that template to a T. But can this 15-years-later sequel beat Tron: Legacy when it comes to jaw-dropping visuals, immersive world-building and sheer spectacle? Set after the events of its predecessor, the story finds Encom's new CEO, Eve Kim (Greta Lee), and Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters), the brash young CEO of Encom's direct competitor, Dillinger Systems, battling it out for corporate dominance. The grandson of disgraced Encom CEO Edward Dillinger, who was ousted from the company when programmer Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) exposed his shady business practices, Julian has made it his life's mission to redeem his grandfather's name — an objective that has been laser-focused on bringing the digital world into our reality. In order to do so, however, Julian will have to find a way to overcome the 29-minute barrier that prevents even his most advanced programs from securing a permanent foothold in the physical world — a challenge that Eve, on the other hand, may have just overcome. Thanks to the pioneering work of Flynn and the dogged determination of her late sister, Tess, Eve has finally been able to obtain the elusive Permanence Code, a digital holy grail that will revolutionize the tech industry as we know it. Little does Eve realize, though, that when Julian learns what she's gotten her hands on, he'll stop at nothing to steal it for himself. Enter Ares (Jared Leto), the world's most advanced military A.I., and a next-generation Master Control Program created by Julian for his own dastardly schemes. A completely expendable, superhumanly strong, and fully autonomous weapon created for doing Julian's dirty work both on and off the Grid, Ares was never designed to be anything more than a glorified pawn in the ongoing war between Dillinger Systems and Encom. However, when he starts to question the intentions of his creator, it marks the beginning of a loyalty shift that will see Ares fighting for himself rather than merely on Julian's behalf. After disobeying a direct order to terminate Eve, Ares soon finds himself on the run from the very same programs he once considered allies, including Athena (Jodie Turner-Smith), his second-in-command. But can he outsmart these extremely dangerous programs and use the Permanence Code to escape from the grid for good? Or will he ultimately be de-rezzed, just like so many of the programs he once so ruthlessly eliminated when he was acting on company directives? More of a followup to the original Tron than a continuation of Tron: Legacy's storyline, the result bucks the trend of the series thus far, spending more time in the real world than in the Grid. Still, despite its valiant attempt to shake things up in an attempt to keep viewers engaged, Tron: Ares' narrative never manages to achieve anything memorable, thanks to a series of unimaginative set pieces, less-than-compelling performances, and stakes that never truly feel as heart-pounding as Nine Inch Nails' pulsing electro-rock soundtrack would lead viewers to believe. Granted, by the time the third act rolls around and the film finally begins to feel a little less lifeless, it actually makes for a fairly spectacular finale that almost compensates for what preceded it. Ultimately, though, this is one sequel that adds up to less than the sum of its parts, delivering generic sci-fi action and bullet-point nostalgia, as opposed to something truly unique and groundbreaking. Make no mistake, Tron Ares' visuals are an impressive sight to behold, and Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross's score lends the movie a slick and stylish edge that skilfully belies the blandness of the underlying storytelling. For audiences hoping for something more than just a state-of-the-art audiovisual experience, however, this entry falls disappointingly short. And while it makes no qualms about setting the stage for a third sequel, only time will tell if moviegoers will want to return to the Grid for another installment. Tron: Ares releases October 10th, 2025 from Walt Disney Studios. The film has an MPAA rating of PG-13 for violence/action. Its runtime is 1 hr. 59 min. |
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