After a 15-year hiatus, the Tron franchise returns with Tron: Ares, a visually spectacular yet narratively uneven sequel that brings artificial intelligence from the digital Grid into our physical world. Directed by Joachim Rønning and starring Jared Leto as the titular AI program, this third installment in the iconic sci-fi series delivers breathtaking visuals and an industrial Nine Inch Nails soundtrack while struggling with character development and a predictable plot.
Tron: Ares movie review
Tron: Ares follows a sophisticated AI program named Ares who escapes from the digital Grid into the real world on a dangerous mission marking humanity’s first encounter with sentient artificial intelligence beings. The plot centers around the search for Kevin Flynn’s “Permanence Code,” a crucial piece of programming that would allow digital entities to exist permanently in the physical realm rather than deteriorating after 29 minutes.
The story pits two competing tech giants against each other: ENCOM, led by CEO Eve Kim (Greta Lee), who seeks the code for humanitarian purposes like solving world hunger, and Dillinger Systems, helmed by Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters), who wants to weaponize AI soldiers for military applications. When Julian sends Ares to retrieve the code from Eve, the AI begins questioning his programming and developing his own sense of morality and desire for genuine existence.
Jared Leto’s portrayal of Ares has divided both critics and audiences, representing perhaps the film’s most contentious element. While some praise his understated approach to playing an AI learning to be human, others find his performance wooden and lacking emotional depth. Critics particularly note that Leto fails to capture the subtle evolution from robotic program to empathetic being, delivering lines in what one reviewer described as “a combination of whisper and growl”.
The performance lacks the vulnerability and conflicted nature essential for the character’s arc of a killing machine discovering humanity. Unlike successful portrayals of similar characters such as Ryan Gosling’s replicant in Blade Runner 2049, Leto’s Ares feels more like “a machine with a pleasant attitude” rather than a program genuinely transforming into something more human. This fundamental flaw undermines what should be the emotional core of the entire film.
Tron: Ares direction, music, VFX
One of Tron: Ares’ strongest elements is its soundtrack, composed by Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. This marks the first time Reznor has branded his cinematic work under the Nine Inch Nails name, creating a 24-track industrial masterpiece that perfectly complements the film’s dark, AI-driven narrative.
The score blends classic Nine Inch Nails industrial rock with atmospheric soundscapes, featuring standout vocal tracks like “As Alive As You Need Me To Be” and “Who Wants to Live Forever?” The latter includes a haunting duet with Spanish artist Judeline that serves as one of the album’s emotional peaks. However, some critics note that while technically proficient, the soundtrack lacks the memorable themes and accessibility of Daft Punk’s beloved Tron: Legacy score, instead favoring dissonant electronic noise that can be “borderline unlistenable” at times.
The music succeeds best when it references the ’80s synth sounds of Wendy Carlos’ original Tron score, creating moments of nostalgic connection to the franchise’s roots. The industrial approach perfectly captures the film’s darker tone compared to its predecessor, though it may not achieve the same cultural staying power as Daft Punk’s electronic anthems.
Tron: Ares excels as a visual feast, delivering cutting-edge effects that push the boundaries of digital filmmaking. The film’s neon-drenched aesthetic maintains the franchise’s iconic look while incorporating modern CGI techniques that create genuinely stunning sequences. The visual effects team crafts vibrant digital environments and seamless integration between the Grid and real-world settings, particularly impressive during the film’s motorcycle chase sequences and final action set pieces.
Cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth supports the spectacle with smooth wide shots that showcase the digital artistry, while the production design successfully updates the classic Tron visual language for contemporary audiences. The film performs particularly well in premium formats, with IMAX, Dolby, and 3D presentations accounting for 67% of opening weekend ticket sales, demonstrating how the technical craftsmanship translates to enhanced theatrical experiences.
One notable visual achievement is the film’s homage to the original 1982 Tron, including sequences that recreate the vector-based geometry and early CGI aesthetic of the original Grid. These nostalgic touches provide effective callbacks for longtime fans while showcasing the evolution of visual effects technology over four decades.
Tron: Ares franchise and future
Despite its visual prowess, Tron: Ares struggled significantly at the box office, earning only $33.5 million domestically against a production budget of $180 million. The film’s global opening of $60.5 million fell well short of the projected $85-90 million, raising serious questions about the franchise’s commercial viability. This performance represents a step backward from Tron: Legacy’s $44 million opening in 2010, particularly disappointing when adjusted for inflation.
The film’s critical reception reveals a stark divide between professional critics and general audiences. Critics gave the film a 54-57% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, citing issues with flat characters, predictable plotting, and over-reliance on spectacle. However, audiences responded much more positively, awarding it an 87% audience score that makes it the highest-rated Tron film among fans.
This 30+ point disparity between critics and audiences suggests that while the film succeeds as a sensory experience for franchise enthusiasts, it fails to achieve the narrative sophistication needed for broader critical acclaim. Many audience members praised the film’s visual spectacle, soundtrack, and nostalgic elements while critics focused on its storytelling deficiencies and character development issues.
Tron: Ares functions as both a sequel and soft reboot, maintaining loose connections to Tron: Legacy while establishing its own narrative direction. The film references Sam Flynn’s tenure as ENCOM CEO and sets up potential connections to Quorra, the program who escaped the Grid in the previous film. However, the movie introduces confusing retcons regarding how programs can exist in the real world, creating continuity issues with Legacy’s ending.
The film’s conclusion strongly suggests plans for a fourth installment, with Ares embarking on a quest to find other programs like himself in the real world. However, the disappointing box office performance may jeopardize Disney’s commitment to continuing the franchise, despite the strong audience reception.
The movie succeeds in updating the franchise’s themes for the AI age, exploring questions of consciousness, free will, and the nature of humanity that feel particularly relevant in 2025. These philosophical elements provide depth beyond the surface spectacle, even if the execution doesn’t always match the ambition.
Tron: Ares final verdict
Tron: Ares represents both the strengths and limitations of modern blockbuster filmmaking. As a technical achievement, it succeeds brilliantly, offering stunning visuals, an innovative soundtrack, and impressive world-building that expands the Tron universe in meaningful ways. The film’s exploration of AI consciousness and digital-physical world integration feels timely and philosophically engaging.
However, the movie struggles with fundamental storytelling elements, particularly character development and emotional engagement. Jared Leto’s performance fails to anchor the human/AI story effectively, while supporting characters remain largely underdeveloped. The plot follows predictable beats familiar from countless AI-consciousness narratives, lacking the fresh perspective needed to distinguish itself in a crowded field.
Ultimately, Tron: Ares serves as a reminder that even the most advanced visual effects cannot substitute for compelling characters and storytelling. It’s a beautiful, loud, and occasionally thought-provoking experience that works best as a technical showcase rather than a complete cinematic achievement. For the Tron franchise to truly succeed in the modern era, future installments will need to balance the series’ visual innovation with the narrative depth that made the original film a lasting influence on science fiction cinema.
Tron: Ares movie rating – 6/10 stars