Film Review: TRON: ARES (2025): A Relentless and Breathtaking Science Fiction Extravaganza

Tron: Ares Review

Tron: Ares (2025) Film Review, a movie directed by Joachim Rønning, written by Jesse Wigutow, David DiGilio and Steven Lisberger and starring Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Jeff Bridges, Evan Peters, Jodie Turner-Smith, Gillian Anderson, Hasan Minhaj, Arturo Castro, Cameron Monaghan, Sarah Desjardins, Aaron Paul Stewart, Roger Cross, Roark Critchlow, Katharine Isabelle, Gary Vaynurchuk, Kwesi Ameyaw, Robin Roberts and Kara Swisher.

Director Joachim Rønning keeps the adrenaline pumping all the way through in the science fiction extravaganza reboot, Tron: Ares. You could call this new picture a “requel,” but it still stands on its own merits as a thrill ride that will literally move your body all around and up and down in your seat if you watch it in 4DX. In any format, though, Tron: Ares doesn’t let up with its relentless action and thought-provoking story line. Though the plot is somewhat simply an excuse for some of the best action scenes of the year to take flight, the casting is inspired and the characters are a big part of the action as well as some of the best visual effects you’ll see at the movies this year. Let’s not mention that nail-biting music in the background from the renowned Nine Inch Nails.

Oscar-winner Jared Leto is featured as Ares, an artificial intelligence who goes rogue to help a game expert named Eve Kim (the perfect Greta Lee) conquer some terrifying technical possibilities. Eve has been on the cover of a recent magazine in the film, a copy of which she hilariously shows a store clerk who she promises her assistant, Seth (Arturo Flores), will reward handsomely if the clerk helps her out. This film starts out with a lot of build-up to set the stage for the action, but this picture soon becomes that one fast-paced theme park attraction that you’ll love to ride every year.

Gillian Anderson plays Elisabeth, the mother of Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters), a man on the edge of technology who knows how to create some serious artificial intelligence dilemmas and is willing to exploit his own talents for a chance at the brass ring, so to speak. Our heroic Ares is the driving force of the plot as he branches out from his original motivations to become more helpful to Eve in order try to escape the wild and dangerous Athena (Jodie Turner-Smith with blonde hair) who seems to be after the good guys in this movie with a vengeance.

A small Rubik’s Cube being present is just one way that this new picture pays respect to the original Tron movie which came out in the early 1980’s slightly around the time of the massive popularity of the Rubik’s Cube which came out earlier, but still. This film even co-stars Jeff Bridges again as the ever powerful Kevin Flynn. Bridges has very few scenes here, but it’s great to see him stirring up those magical chase sequences that follow and precede Bridges’ presence in the new movie.

What makes Tron: Ares a super entertaining movie is its attention to the CGI details and its amazing costumes and stylish visual effects. There is some great lighting in many of the scenes here that is flashy, red and in check with the movie’s themes of overcoming the greedy wants of a society and focusing in on the emotional needs of the individual instead. Shot in a grand way that will enhance viewers who attend 3D screenings’ audience experience, there are a number of chase scenes that rank at the top of this series’ list. Most of them involve lightning fast cars and motorcycles that sometimes take our heroes out of the real world and immerse them in an interactive computer world that is scary to behold, but will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Jodie Turner-Smith’s Athena is one of the most interesting movie villains of the year. With Turner-Smith’s very distinct look and characterization, Athena, much like the movie itself, is relentless. She pursues Ares with ferocity and then she goes after Eve with a vengeance. There are a lot of interesting ideas here in terms of the way Ares bonds with Eve and tries to save her life from those who threaten it, including the heartless Julian who is just looking to profit off his desire to eliminate the need for certain characters’ skill sets in the real world.

While Turner-Smith is menacing all the way through, her performance isn’t the only terrific thing about the new film. It’s clear that the best scene here has Athena running up a swirly parking garage to get to Eve who is trying to escape when she turns on a motorcycle which takes her away from Athena who means business and won’t stop until she gets her way.

In 4DX, this movie is purely exciting and quite interactive as a film. Every chase scene has that intensity that makes the movie feel necessary and timely. There are all the ingredients of a great science-fiction movie here and it’s easy to recall The Terminator movies when watching the tension unfold in the story line through the action scenes that take place throughout the picture.

Leto is heroic as Ares finds (through his connection with Eve) a new reason to stay alive and remain “real” rather than surrendering to the flashy computer world and the schemes of those who threaten the good of society. Action sequences are non-stop and full of relentless urgency. City streets are employed for some of the chase scenes with a big bus getting in the way of our characters at one point early on. There are a lot of memorable scenes here such as when bad characters join forces together to try to stop Ares and Eve in their tracks.

Tron: Ares has that kick-ass score by Nine Inch Nails and the superb visual effects driving the action and keeping the movie relevant and enjoyable. Jared Leto is a heroic character that audiences will root for as he tries to save himself and help Eve return to the life she once had before all hell broke loose. Gillian Anderson offers some stellar support in a minor, but pivotal, role in the action. Tron: Ares is one roller coaster you’ll want to get on before the theme park ride opens at Disney one day. It’s only a matter of time.

Rating: 8/10

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