Tron: Ares (2025) Review!!

Synopsis – A highly sophisticated Program, Ares, is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission.

My Take – Despite posing important questions about technology, the ‘Tron‘ series have always been about the special effects and the fight sequences.

The original 1982 Steven Lisberger directed sci-fi about computer programmers entering vast and gleaming software landscapes was one of the first films to make extensive use of CGI. With its Joseph Kosinski directed belated 2010 sequel taking a step further by gloriously brightening up the screens with blue and yellow neon lighting, and of course who can forget its excellent use of de-ageing technology.

While both these films were marred with shaky storytelling, they found enough audience to guarantee that new installment was always going to be made.

However, this time around the story, written by David DiGilio and Jesse Wigutow, itself was exciting as it was flipping the concept by bringing the artificial intelligence beings of the digital world into our reality. Simply told, unlike its predecessors, where humans got sucked into The Grid, the programs would be coming to us.

And in the hands of director Joachim Rønning (Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil) we get yet another visually stunning, pulse-pounding ride that absolutely delivers on spectacle, yet, struggles to choose between being a nostalgic crowd-pleaser and a contemporary AI thriller.

Yes, like most nostalgia follow-ups, this one too suffers from sequel syndrome, cramming in references from previous films, setting up future installments, and serves us multiple concepts simultaneously.

But despite its narrative shortcomings, paired with gorgeously rendered CGI and handsome art-direction with effects that seamlessly blend practical and digital elements, the film works as a fully immersive experience that truly pulls you into the world of ‘Tron‘. A kinetic explosion of light underscored by Nine Inch Nails’ relentless soundtrack, which propels the action and keeps the film’s 119 minute runtime zipping by. If nothing else, it’s worth seeing for the sight and sound alone.

Set fifteen years after the events of Tron: Legacy (2010), the story mainly follows the ethically-minded Eve Kim (Greta Lee), who took over the role of ENCOM CEO after Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund) departed, and has since then been in a technology and corporate battle with Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters), the grandson of Ed Dillinger (David Warner) and his militaristic Dillinger Systems.

Though both companies have cracked the code on bringing digital creations into the real world through laser-based 3D printing, they have not been able to sustain them for longer than 29 minutes. Forcing them both in a race to uncover the elusive Permanence Code – a piece of programming designed by Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) decades ago and would make these digital manifestations permanent, a discovery that’s both revolutionary and potentially catastrophic.

And when Eve finally finds it, Julian brings his creation – a sophisticated AI program known as Ares (Jared Leto) into the real world to steal the code and eliminate Eve. Hereby unfolding a part corporate espionage thriller, part AI awakening story, and entirely a spectacular light show that transforms Vancouver’s streets into a real-world Grid.

Expanding on the ideas set up in Tron: Legacy (2010), the film keeps the trilogy’s overarching story fluid even when it flips the script by having the digital world invade reality. But unlike its predecessor, director Rønning leans hard into its tech-driven action and dazzling visuals. It’s less about emotional connection and more about high voltage spectacle, with the color palette shifting from cool blues to menacing reds, giving the film a darker, more urgent tone.

The film’s visual language is nothing short of breathtaking. Watching light cycles tear through Vancouver’s downtown streets, leaving deadly trails of hard-light jetwalls in their wake, is genuinely thrilling. The sleek black surfaces punctuated by neon circuit patterns, the geometric precision of the Grid bleeding into our messy analog world. Director Rønning’s decision to ground these fantastical elements in real locations gives the action sequences an immediacy that the previous films often lacked.

I was particularly impressed with the final act that revisits the Tron (1982) grid. A nostalgic treat for viewers who remember the first film, delivering fan service that the second installment mostly neglected. It helps that staggeringly brilliant soundtrack from Nine Inch Nails dominates the entire proceedings.

Here, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have created a score that perfectly complements the franchise’s aesthetic while bringing their own industrial edge. The music elevates every scene it touches, filling gaps in the narrative with pure aural energy. However, the writing is where the film suffers.

The film desperately wants to explore themes of AI consciousness, corporate morality, and digital permanence, but never gives any of these ideas room to really breathe. It’s exploration of AI consciousness feels particularly surface-level given our current technological environment. With real-world debates about artificial intelligence reaching a fever pitch, the film had an opportunity to offer genuine insight into these questions. Instead, it settles for familiar tropes about programs learning to feel.

The performances are decent across the board. Jared Leto is his usual self, with his natural intensity serving the role well during action sequences, and his fish-out-of-water moments providing genuine humor. Greta Lee is excellent as always and manages to be likable throughout. Jodie Tuner-Smith brings depth to her already imposing character.

Evan Peters shines as the young, evil genius founder by showcasing his calculative brilliance and unapologetic arrogance. In supporting roles, Gillian Anderson, Hasan Minhaj, Arturo Castro and Sarah Desjardins deliver solid work. Jeff Bridges too appears in a cameo and brings his trademark zen wisdom in a brief but impactful appearance. On the whole, ‘Tron: Ares‘ is an enjoyable neon-soaked grandeur that despite falling short on offering a compelling narrative succeeds as a sensory experience.