TRON: Ares (2025)
6.478 /10
1228 Reviews
Rate This Movie:
A highly sophisticated Program called Ares is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind's first encounter with A.I. beings.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Ares
... Eve Kim
... Julian Dillinger
... Elisabeth Dillinger
... Athena
User reviews
mixed feelings! i really enjoyed it and brought a lot of cool stuff to the table, but felt really disconnected from the worldbuilding in the tron legacy affiliated media.
this last month or so i've been going through all the canon tron media and obsessing over it. i really do have a love for the franchise. most of the people i went to see it with, who didn't put in the same amount of preparation, really enjoyed it, one said they liked it more than tron legacy.
anyway! the scenes and ideas in it were really cool, the action scenes were well done from a technical standpoint. although i don't feel like the action had too much emotional weight like they did in legacy.
i feel like it's not really a tron movie without the flynns, alan and tron. and that's where my disappointment really comes from is that it's about completely different people who never existed in lore prior to the film. it never contradicted the lore and there were callbacks and light nods, but it really just wasn't the same without the characters fans fell in love with. also i wish they had done more with the isos, the isos were a big deal to flynn and there's so many cool things they could've done with them.
i'm also disappointed with the casting decision for jared leto, his performance was fine but as a person i don't exactly hold him in the highest regard, which made it difficult for me to look at his face the whole time like that. some of the pacing felt really campy, comic relief in weird spots from characters who really served no purpose. this issue didn't exist in either previous film which really took me out of it this time.
scoring was great, trent did a great job. overall the film was very enjoyable and i would recommend for people who enjoyed the first tron film or legacy. but if you're a superfan, don't expect anything too spectacular.
Director:
Writer:
Jesse Wigutow (Screenplay)
David DiGilio (Story)
Jesse Wigutow (Story)
Steven Lisberger (Characters)
Bonnie MacBird (Characters)
Genres:
Release Date:
2025-10-08
Run Time:
119 min
MMPA Rating:
PG-13
Reviews of
TRON: Ares
mixed feelings! i really enjoyed it and brought a lot of cool stuff to the table, but felt really disconnected from the worldbuilding in the tron legacy affiliated media.
this last month or so i've been going through all the canon tron media and obsessing over it. i really do have a love for the franchise. most of the people i went to see it with, who didn't put in the same amount of preparation, really enjoyed it, one said they liked it more than tron legacy.
anyway! the scenes and ideas in it were really cool, the action scenes were well done from a technical standpoint. although i don't feel like the action had too much emotional weight like they did in legacy.
i feel like it's not really a tron movie without the flynns, alan and tron. and that's where my disappointment really comes from is that it's about completely different people who never existed in lore prior to the film. it never contradicted the lore and there were callbacks and light nods, but it really just wasn't the same without the characters fans fell in love with. also i wish they had done more with the isos, the isos were a big deal to flynn and there's so many cool things they could've done with them.
i'm also disappointed with the casting decision for jared leto, his performance was fine but as a person i don't exactly hold him in the highest regard, which made it difficult for me to look at his face the whole time like that. some of the pacing felt really campy, comic relief in weird spots from characters who really served no purpose. this issue didn't exist in either previous film which really took me out of it this time.
scoring was great, trent did a great job. overall the film was very enjoyable and i would recommend for people who enjoyed the first tron film or legacy. but if you're a superfan, don't expect anything too spectacular.
If a movie franchise has nothing especially new to say about itself or its mythology, perhaps it’s best if it refrains from trying to say anything at all. Such is the case with this latest installment in the “Tron” series of would-be sci-fi screen epics, a nondescript, underwhelming effort that, regrettably, disappoints in myriad ways. What starts out as a generally unengaging tale about AI corporate espionage that straddles life in the real world and cyberspace improves somewhat as it moves along, particularly in the back half when the connection to the original 1982 release becomes more apparent (and more compelling). But what precedes that development is uninspiring, even if it is visually dazzling to look at. Its attempt at conveying a cautionary tale about the potential dangers associated with artificial intelligence (not to mention the greedy, dimwitted purveyors of this dubious technology) may be laudable for its nobility and sincerity, but it’s not especially new at this point given the many other cinematic releases that have already tackled this subject (and better), perhaps best seen in several of the “Terminator” offerings. Arguably, the biggest problem here is an anemic script that generally tries mightily (though not always successfully) to link this picture’s narrative with its seminal roots, but it frequently feels as if it’s reaching for a suitably sufficient tie-in. That’s particularly apparent where a key story element is concerned, one that has been alluded to in previous installments but that is brought up directly this time – and that should have played a far more significant role in this iteration but that, sadly, is largely glossed over when introduced, receiving only scant treatment thereafter. The casting also leaves much to be desired, with gifted character actor Jared Leto being thrust into a part where his performance is about as appealing as a lukewarm bowl of porridge (with few prospects for greater, more meaningful depth and development); protagonist Greta Lee turning in a portrayal lacking in passion, interest and realistic believability; and Jeff Bridges essentially making an extended cameo that he could have just as soon phoned in (though, thankfully, Jodie Turner-Smith and Gillian Anderson are on hand to breathe some much-needed life into the otherwise-lackluster acting). Interestingly, this offering boasts an impressive original score by Nine Inch Nails, but its presence is so undeniable that it often tends to overpower the action that it’s meant to complement (I often found myself listening more intently to the background music than to the on-screen dialogue – an element that really shouldn’t be that obvious). To be honest, I can’t say that I hated director Joachim Rønning’s latest feature outing, but I certainly didn’t love it, either. In fact, the only reason I’d recommend seeing it on a big screen would be for the special effects, and, if that’s not justification enough for you to plunk down your hard-earned money for theater ticket prices, I’d suggest waiting until it comes to streaming and watch it at home.
**SLOP**
I can't believe people are actually saying it's good. Tron 2025 is completely boring, derivative, and predictable. The casting choices are absurd and it looks like a Netflix or Disney show aimed at pre-teens. Also, I guess crappy acting performed by crappy actors is standard for post 2020 Hollywood.
I just don't understand why people love eating this slop, and then they clap like seals for the slop, it's baffling.
##A Visually Stunning Sequel That Plays It a Bit Too Safe
The Grid awaits once more, and its return is a welcome one. *TRON: Ares*, the long-gestating next chapter in the cult-favourite franchise, delivers exactly what the trailer promises: a breathtaking dive back into a digital world of light-cycle duels and identity-disc battles. It’s a spectacle for the senses that faithfully honors the legacy, even if its human heart sometimes gets lost in the neon glow.
**The Visuals and Sound Are the Real Stars**
Let's be clear: this film is worth the price of admission for the aesthetic alone. Building on the foundation laid by *TRON: Legacy*, *Ares* pushes the visual envelope even further. The Grid feels more vast, more detailed, and more dangerous. The signature light-cycle sequences are more visceral and intelligently choreographed, and the disc wars have a satisfying, weighty impact that will please fans. The real standout, however, is the sound design and score. While no one can truly replace Daft Punk, the new musical team (or rumoured guest artists) have crafted a pulsating, electronic heartbeat that seamlessly blends nostalgic tones with fresh, aggressive synth-wave rhythms. It’s a triumph.
**A Compelling Premise with a Rushed Execution**
The story follows Ares (a perfectly cast Jared Leto), a powerful A.I. program sent from the digital world into our human reality—a clever inversion of the first film's premise. The goal is one of peace and understanding, but as any *TRON* fan knows, nothing on The Grid goes according to plan. The philosophical conflict—what happens when a perfect digital consciousness confronts the messy, illogical nature of humanity?—is fertile ground.
The film is at its best when exploring this core idea. Leto brings a compelling, otherworldly quality to Ares, making him both empathetic and intimidating. However, the screenplay struggles to balance its high-concept themes with its blockbuster obligations. The human characters, including a weary corporate tech executive (played ably by a under-utilised Jodie Turner-Smith), often feel like narrative devices to move the plot along rather than fully fleshed-out people. The third act, in particular, rushes toward a climactic battle that, while visually spectacular, resolves the film's central philosophical dilemma a bit too neatly.
**A Worthy, if Flawed, Entry**
*TRON: Ares* doesn't reach the iconic status of the original nor the cult-cool heights of *Legacy*. It feels like a carefully crafted, slightly safe attempt to reignite the franchise. It does so with immense style and a clear love for the source material, but it stumbles in giving its human elements the same depth and complexity as its digital ones.
**The Verdict: 7/10**
*TRON: Ares* is a solid and entertaining sci-fi adventure. It delivers stunning visuals, a thumping score, and enough classic *TRON* action to satisfy devotees. While its story doesn't fully explore the profound questions it raises, it successfully opens a new door to The Grid, leaving you hopeful and eager for the next round.
**See it if:** You're a fan of the franchise; you crave a big-screen visual and auditory experience; you enjoy high-concept sci-fi, even when it prioritises spectacle over depth.
**Skip it if:** You demand deep character development from your blockbusters; you have no prior connection to the *TRON* universe.
Oh dear! After “Morbius” (2022), I had hoped that Jared Leto might pick better, but after about ten minutes into this overlong and repetitive adventure I am afraid that proved not to be the case. Named after the Greek war god, he is a sophisticated computer programme that makes the “Terminator” look like “Barbie”. Virtually indestructible, he can penetrate any security system and therefore could prove to be invaluable to the military. Meantime, at a rival technology company they are working on the one thing that has thus far evaded all of the developers. Permanence. No matter how clever their inventions become, corporate nasty “Dillinger” (Evan Peters) knows that after half an hour their creations turn into Lego. He knows that rival “Eve” (Greta Lee) might be onto a solution and so he plonks “Ares” and his kick-ass sidekick “Athena” (Jodie Turner-Smith) into their system and so a cyberspace battle-royal ensues that tests the mettle and the “humanity” of just about all the players. I say players because that’s what this comes across as for much of it’s computer generated existence. Unlike the first “Tron” film from forty-odd years ago, this has very little by way of story and relies way too much on the, admittedly impressive, visual effects and high-octane pace of the thing rather than making any real effort to characterise the folks engaged in their venal and morally questionable corporate shenanigans. Quite why Gillian Anderson is here is anyone’s guess, Jeff Bridges looks as if he ought to be off parting the Red Sea and the writing is largely irrelevant, save for a little psycho-babble towards an ending that reminded me a little of “Max” from Disney’s “Black Hole” (1979). There is the odd homage to bygone eras of video games, zeroes and ones but I found this a long old and disappointing two hours to sit through.
One of the best IMAX 3D experiences I've ever had. Thanks to Jared Leto, the Tron franchise isn't dead yet even after all these years. Joachim Rønning is an underrated visionary director who's direction is right on the money with the visuals and with the sound design. Talking about the sound, Nine Inch Nails has done a remarkable job at composing music for the movie and might have made the best score for a movie this year. This movie experience is truly worth the ticket price!
Visually stunning and rhythmically charged, TRON: Ares expands its digital world with heart and energy. I loved how it blends legacy style with a fresh pulse for today’s audience. All around great story, entertaining from start to finish. A mesmerizing ride that reminds you why cinema and technology belong together. The VFX work is outstanding — great job to the entire team. I had a great time seeing it!
Cast & Crew of
TRON: Ares
Cast
... Ares
... Eve Kim
... Julian Dillinger
... Elisabeth Dillinger
... Athena
... Kevin Flynn
... Ajay Singh
... Seth Flores
... Caius
... Erin
... Cyber Security Pete
... Cross
... General McGrath
... Marcia Lee Hadlow
... Stuart Roche
... Silvio
... Robin Roberts
... Kara Swisher
... Ajay's Driver
... Encom Engineer #1
... Encom Engineer #2
... Encom Engineer #3
... Athena's Red Guard #1
... F-35 Pilot #1
... F-35 Pilot #2
... Pizza Parlor Patron
... Tess Kim
... Tess Kim (voice)
... Paranoia-Con Emcee
... TED Speaker
... Athena's Red Guard #2
... Athena's Red Guard #3
... Police Officer #1
... Grid Tech #1
... Grid Tech #2
... Gas Station Clerk
... Encom Security (Jolene)
... Dillinger Security #2
... Dillinger Security #3
... Young Eve Kim
... Young Tess Kim
... 1980s News Anchor
... Himself
... Herself
... Himself
... Herself
... Field Reporter #1
... Field Reporter #2
... News Anchor #6
... Reporter #1
... Reporter #2
... Reporter #3
... Mom
... Kid
... Backstage AD
... Baby in Car
... Baby in Car
... Encom Video Narrator
... Master Control Program (voice) (archival audio)
Crew
... Costume Design
... Casting
... Casting
... Producer
... Producer
... Still Photographer
... Producer
... Director
... Fight Choreographer
... Executive Producer
... Director of Photography
... Original Music Composer
... Original Music Composer
... Producer
... Producer
... Screenplay
... Producer
... Production Design
... Conceptual Design
... Concept Artist
... Editor
... Unit Production Manager
... First Assistant Director
... Supervising Art Director
... Art Direction
... Art Direction
... Art Direction
... Second Unit Director
... Stunt Coordinator
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Choreographer
... Supervising Sound Editor
... Sound Designer
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Animation Supervisor
... Animation Supervisor
... Executive Visual Effects Producer
... Executive Visual Effects Producer
... Executive Visual Effects Producer
... Executive Visual Effects Producer
... Storyboard Artist
... Lighting Technician
... Compositing Artist
... Concept Artist
... Visual Effects Producer
... Visual Effects Producer
... Visual Effects Producer
... Story
... Story
... Characters
... Characters
... Art Direction
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Costume Design
... Second Unit Director
... Stunt Coordinator
... Songs
... Hair Department Head
... Makeup Department Head
... Special Effects Supervisor
... Gaffer
... Stunt Driver
... Creative Consultant
... Additional Editor
... Fight Choreographer
... Stunt Double
... Stunts
... Stunt Double
... Stunts
... Stunt Coordinator
... Stunt Double
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunt Double
... Stunt Driver
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunt Coordinator
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunt Driver
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunt Double
... Stunts
... Second Unit Director of Photography
... Camera Operator
... Underwater Camera
... Camera Operator
... "A" Camera Operator
... Steadicam Operator
... "B" Camera Operator
... Camera Operator
... Casting
... Casting
... Second Assistant Director
... Key Hair Stylist
... Set Decoration
... Co-Producer
... Co-Producer
... Co-Producer
... Co-Producer
... Co-Producer
... Co-Producer
... Stand In
... Modelling Supervisor
... First Assistant Makeup Artist
... Assistant Sound Engineer
Videos & Photos of
TRON: Ares
Videos (6)
The Evolution
1: 31
Official 4DX Trailer
1: 31
Flynn Lives
1: 31
Official Trailer
1: 31
Official Trailer
1: 31
Photos 99
Similar Movies To
TRON: Ares
Death Wish II (1982)
6.233/10
Paul Kersey is again a vigilante trying to find five punks who murdered his housekeeper and daughter in Los Angeles.
Release: 1982-02-20
The Return of Superfly (1990)
5.4/10
Priest returns to New York from Paris to find his friend's murderer. With a couple of new allies, he attempts to bring the killers to justice while trying not to get into criminal activity like he did years ago.
Release: 1990-11-09
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)
6.965/10
An account of Baron Munchausen's supposed travels and fantastical experiences with his band of misfits.
Release: 1988-12-07
Dead Earth (2020)
3.333/10
Two young women's plans to try to live a normal life in isolation after a world ending apocalypse go awry when they are discovered.
Release: 2020-01-28
Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970)
6.9/10
The U.S. has handed over control of its nuclear defense system to the Colossus supercomputer designed by scientist Dr. Charles Forbin. It soon becomes clear, that the now-sentient Colossus is far more intelligent than its creator realized—with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.
Release: 1970-04-08
The Jungle Book 2 (2003)
5.893/10
Mowgli has been living in the man-village with his little stepbrother Ranjan and his best friend Shanti. But the man-cub still has that jungle rhythm in his heart, and he misses his old buddies Baloo and Bagheera. When Mowgli wanders back to the wild for some swingin' fun, he soon finds the man-eating tiger Shere Khan is lurking in the shadows and planning his revenge.
Release: 2003-02-07
The Cutting Edge: Chasing the Dream (2008)
6.765/10
A world class ice skater eager to take the top prize in the biggest competition around finds his dreams going up in flames after his partner suffers a debilitating injury in this romantic sports drama starring Matt Lanter, Francia Rosa, and Christy Carlson Romano. Zack (Lanter) was headed for the gold when his partner suffered an injury that made competing impossible, but could a feisty female hockey player prove the key to keeping his illustrious career on track? Alexandra is an amateur Latina hockey player who has never skated professionally and doesn't much care for Zack, though a little determination goes a long way in helping Zack convince her to join him on the ice. Now, as this unlikely pair begins the arduous training process that could make them both bona-fide superstars, the girl with the icy attitude finds her handsome partner's warmth and charm bringing about a most unexpected thaw.
Release: 2008-03-16
Crank: High Voltage (2009)
6.077/10
Chelios faces a Chinese mobster who has stolen his nearly indestructible heart and replaced it with a battery-powered ticker that requires regular jolts of electricity to keep working.
Release: 2009-04-16
The Toxic Avenger (1984)
6.3/10
A gang of thugs devise a cruel hoax that goes horribly wrong as Melvin, a nerdy emaciated janitor at the local health club, is cast through a third story window into a vat of hazardous toxic waste.
Release: 1984-05-15
District 13: Ultimatum (2009)
6.4/10
Damien and Leito return to District 13 on a mission to bring peace to the troubled sector that is controlled by five different gang bosses, before the city’s secret services take drastic measures to solve the problem.
Release: 2009-02-18
The Cat Returns (2002)
7.132/10
Young Haru rescues a cat from being run over, but soon learns it's no ordinary feline; it happens to be the Prince of the Cats.
Release: 2002-07-19
Missing in Action (1984)
5.824/10
American servicemen are still being held captive in Vietnam and it's up to one man to bring them home in this blistering, fast-paced action/adventure starring martial arts superstar Chuck Norris. Following a daring escape from a Vietnamese POW camp, Special Forces Colonel James Braddock (Norris) is on a mission to locate and save remaining MIAs.
Release: 1984-11-16
Red Cliff II (2009)
7.273/10
The battle of Red Cliff continues and the alliance between Xu and East Wu is fracturing. With Cao Cao's massive forces on their doorstep, will the kingdoms of Xu and East Wu survive?
Release: 2009-01-07
Return of the Killer Tomatoes! (1988)
5.6/10
Crazy old Professor Gangreen has developed a way to make tomatoes look human for a second invasion.
Release: 1988-04-22
Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996)
6.3/10
Legendary secrets are revealed as Aladdin and his friends—Jasmine, Abu, Carpet and, of course, the always entertaining Genie—face all sorts of terrifying threats and make some exciting last-minute escapes pursuing the King Of Thieves and his villainous crew.
Release: 1996-05-20
Beyond Re-Animator (2003)
5.935/10
Once again tampering with mother nature to disastrous results, Dr. Herbert West continues his research while serving time in a maximum security prison for his previous exploits. West's limited prison-cell experiments are suddenly interrupted by the arrival of a new prison doctor and the brother of the girl who suffered from West's experiments 13 years earlier.
Release: 2003-04-04
The Lion King 1½ (2004)
6.58/10
Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the warthog are best pals and the unsung heroes of the African savanna. This prequel to the smash Disney animated adventure takes you back -- way back -- before Simba's adventure began. You'll find out all about Timon and Pumbaa and tag along as they search for the perfect home and attempt to raise a rambunctious lion cub.
Release: 2004-10-28
Herbie Fully Loaded (2005)
5.821/10
Maggie Peyton, the new owner of Number 53 - the free-wheelin' Volkswagen bug with a mind of its own - puts the car through its paces on the road to becoming a NASCAR competitor.
Release: 2005-06-19
The Art of War (2000)
5.694/10
Neil Shaw is both agent and weapon - a critical line of defense for the Secretary General of the United Nations. He does not even officially exist. As an international security expert, he must uncover an international plot in which ruthless terrorists threatened to bring down the United Nations on the eve of an historic summit with China. A mysterious chain of events leads to the murder of the Chinese U.N. Ambassador, and the terrorists frame Neil Shaw, the one man they believe can stop them. Accused of the crime, Shaw goes underground — in effect, vanishing from his own life — as he tries to stop what could become World War III.
Release: 2000-08-25
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
4.59/10
With global superpowers engaged in an increasingly hostile arms race, Superman leads a crusade to rid the world of nuclear weapons. But Lex Luthor, recently sprung from jail, is declaring war on the Man of Steel and his quest to save the planet. Using a strand of Superman's hair, Luthor synthesizes a powerful ally known as Nuclear Man and ignites an epic battle spanning Earth and space.
Release: 1987-07-24