Many years have passed since the events of TRON: LEGACY, with Sam Flynn having stepped away from the ENCOM corporation, paving the way for new CEO Eve Kim to take over, who finds herself competing with Julian Dillinger’s Dillinger Systems corporation, as both rival companies compete to find a permanence code, which if attained and utilized, will allow objects from the Grid to exist in the real world permanently, rather than disintegrate after half an hour’s time. When Eve is targeted by Julian’s security programs from the Grid, his Master Control Program, Ares, begins to question his objectives when he notices Eve’s selfless nature and want to better the world. Will he fulfill his destiny as Dillinger’s security sentry, or will the program do the right thing and find his humanity?
When TRON came out in 1982, its cutting-edge computer graphics effects, while laughably dated by today’s standards and cinematic CGI landscapes, took the world by storm. Legacy sequel TRON: LEGACY improved on its processor in nearly every way, yet still retained the charm of the original movie. I’m not sure anyone was expecting a third TRON movie, but all the pieces seemed to be in place for a solid film, with a cast that included the likes of Jared Leto and the return of Jeff Bridges (albeit in more of a supporting capacity), not to mention original music by Nine Inch Nails to score the film (electronica group Daft Punk had scored the previous movie). The third TRON is the best in the series so far, with incredible graphics, intense battle and chase sequences, solid performances from its cast, and great use of the IMAX screen, backed by a killer soundtrack. I challenge you to find a more visually stimulating movie on the big screen this year.
Let me start by getting out of the way what TRON: ARES is not. A good deal of the plot in this film revolves around AI and technology; these are certainly topical points in the modern world. This is NOT a movie that explores this topic in any depth, nor will it spark debate among viewers in this record. ARES has already received criticism from various review outlets for this so called “lack of depth.” But those viewers are missing the point entirely. You don’t go to see TRON: ARES for intelligent, thought-provoking content.
You go to see it so that you can remember why you fell in love with movies in the first place. And ARES succeeds in that regard where few movies of recent years have. It’s not only the best of the three TRON films; it’s one of the best movies of 2025.
The movie features a fantastic ensemble cast fronted by Jared Leto, who portrays security program Ares. Another common criticism I’m seeing leveled at this film is the fact that Leto’s performance is subdued and lacks personality. Did these reviewers forget that he’s literally a computer program thrust into the “real world?” He doesn’t act like a human being because he’s not a human being. And while he gets some great action scenes, he even manages to get some great dramatic ones as well, including a scene where he doesn’t understand “feelings” when trying to explain what he thinks about music, as well as seeing the errors of his ways. The 30 Seconds to Mars frontman got a bit shortchanged playing characters like the Joker and Morbius due to weak scripts and material, but his role as Ares plays to his strengths, and contrary to what you may have heard, he does a great job here. Don’t forget he’s playing a character who started life as a computer program. The performance is appropriate, and the subdued nature suits the character and his evolution.
The rest of the cast fares nearly as well, with Greta Lee playing Eve, a CEO seeking a “permanence code” that she can use to better the world, who finds herself thrust into a partnership with Ares when he begins to question his objective. Evan Peters (Quicksilver from the X-MEN movies) is fantastic is an overzealous CEO who’ll stop at nothing to get the permanence code, who’s actions have disastrous consequences, and an underused Gillian Anderson (of X-FILES fame) as his former company leader mother who serves as the closest thing he has to a moral compass. Jodie Turner-Smith shows off plenty of strength and menace as a fellow security program who becomes a core antagonist. Much of the humor in the film comes from Eve’s crew members, who help the movie to find balance and prevent it from becoming too dour and dark. Jeff Bridges reprises his role but is relegated to support status in this film rather than a central star. Personally, I appreciated this as a moviegoer, so his presence doesn’t overshadow the core younger cast members. He steals the show with what screen time he gets, though.
TRON: ARES is visually stimulating from start to finish. Its action and chase sequences are second to none, whether they’re on the Grid or in the “real world.” The IMAX screen I saw the movie on at AMC Town Square here in Las Vegas provided a definite treat for the eyes, and I can say, without reservation, this is a film that deserves to be seen on the biggest and best screen possible. There’s even a retro-style sequence that hearkens back to the (deliberately dated) look of the original movie, which definitely put a smile on my face. Exposition to the events of prior films and the “in-between years” is kept to a comfortable minimum, but the filmmakers even find a way to do this in stylized form early in the film, so TRON newbies won’t be too lost.
TRON: ARES sounds as good as it looks. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, who’ve made a surprising turn into the world of composing film scores in recent years, take center stage as Nine Inch Nails, and the film is rarely quiet due to the use of the NIN score. It sets the mood perfectly, and while mostly instrumental, we do get some full-on “songs” with Reznor on vocals. The big speakers in the IMAX theaters rocked the room with the all-out intense score, perhaps a bit too intensely at times, but the movie simply would not be the same without the music. Reznor and Ross give this visually stimulating tale its heartbeat. Be on the lookout for a cameo by the duo in the film; I won’t spoil it here.
Flaws in TRON: ARES are thankfully limited. While director Joachim Ronning certainly proves himself up to the task of helming this movie, it’s slightly too long and may have benefited from some additional editing. Likewise, poor Gillian Anderson simply doesn’t get enough to do, and I wish the script had made her role at least slightly larger. Minor issues aside, it’s still one of the best movies of the years.
The third try is the charm for TRON: ARES, which takes its place as the best film in the series. The visual effects are amongst the greatest ever seen on the big screen. The chase and action sequences are intense and manage to feel fresh in a world where big screen action is a dime a dozen. Nine Inch Nails’ score gives the stunning visuals a much-needed heartbeat. And the cast are all up to the task at hand. Is it a thought-provoking movie that’ll give you food for thought when it comes to AI applications in the real world? Absolutely not. But it was never intended to be. TRON: ARES is big-screen entertainment at its absolute finest. Don’t listen to the detractors. Make up your own mind.
Absolute highest recommendations.