Welcome [back] to the Grid.

Directed by Joachim Ronning, Tron: Ares returns to ENCOM as the race for AI is on. A lot has happened in the 15 years after the events of Tron: Legacy. ENCOM is now under new leadership and they are in the fight for their lives with Dillinger Systems as both search feverishly for Flynn’s fabled ‘permanence’ code. However, just as ENCOM seems on the verge of a major breakthrough, Dillinger unleashes Ares (Jared Leto), a new breed of AI soldier, to collect the information for themselves. However, Ares isn’t so sure that his user is worth following, causing the bot to question his own existence.

Tron is a bit of an odd franchise. Although the franchise has been around for over 40 years, this remains only the third cinematic iteration of its story. Yes, there was a short-lived animated series and two roller coasters yet, for some reason, Tron remains firmly locked on the fringes as a mega-franchise. But now, with the release of Tron: ARES, the series returns with sequels on the mind.

Jared Leto as Ares in Disney’s TRON: ARES. Photo Courtesey of DIsney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

And it does so very, very effectively.

Simply put, Tron: ARES is the most unexpectedly fun and furious ride of the year. Ronning has created a film that becomes a wonder for the senses. Featuring stunning visuals and what might be the year’s best soundtrack, ARES isn’t a film you simply watch.

It’s one you experience.

Having directed Maleficent: Mistress of Evil and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Ronning is no stranger to films with massive visual effects. But ARES truly ups the ante. Although much of the film takes place in the ‘real world’, action sequences featuring LightCycles, Recognizers and lazer-guided drones are utterly spectacular. Cutting through the screen with digital mayhem, Ronning keeps the film’s narrative relatively simple and invests fully into making this feel like you’re on the ride at Disney World.

A scene from Disney’s TRON: ARES. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

But it’s that soundtrack that really gives the film its fire. After Daft Punk created the now legendary beats that accompanied the previous sequel, one could understand the pressure felt by Disney to recreate that magic. And, with their work on ARES, Trent Rezner and Atticus Ross (fka Nine Inch Nails) have truly outdone themselves. Here, the Oscar-winning duo have created another sonic feast that pulsates and pounds home the action in stunning fashion. However, even though the beats drive hard, they still feel immersive and inviting. This is a soundtrack that simply washes over you, bringing the viewer into mayhem of the digital world.

Having said this, it’s worth noting that ARES is much simpler in storytelling than its preceding entries. Whereas the previous films dealt more with character development, Ronning keeps this film firmly focused on the action. (Even the maturation of Ares himself feels secondary to the battles on the streets.) In addition, the dialogue borders on campy and performances can be wooden, especially Leto. (Although, who can fault a man who’s playing a soulless bot?)

Jared Leto as Ares in Disney’s TRON: ARES. Photo by Leah Gallo. © 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Even so, none of those are actually failings of the film in this case. In a lot of ways, ARES feels like a throwback style of film for Disney. While it contains all the necessary nostalgia for films of the past, its tone taps into the energetic silliness of classic Disney adventures from the late 70s and early 80s like Return to Witch Mountain or even Condorman. Yes, Tron: ARES takes itself (fairly) seriously… but it never loses its sense of playfulness either. That brand of campy adventure was vintage Disney and it somehow works here once again. As Ares himself would say, this film has a “classic” feel. And it works.

What’s more, ARES does feel like it’s coming at the right cultural moment as well. With conversations surrounding the evolution of AI dominating the headlines (and our workplaces), the birth of Ares does raise some interesting questions about where we’re heading, especially in the realm of modern warfare. But more than this, ARES has a metaphysical soul that wants to understand what it means to be human. With every step into the real world, Ares’ experiences drive him to ask whether or not there’s more to life.

Jodie Turner-Smith as Athena in Disney’s Live Action TRON: ARES. Photo by Leah Gallo. © 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Or, more succinctly, what it means to live at all.

After all, Ares was built to follow the commands of his creator. And, make no mistake. Dillinger views Ares as a toy with which he can play. Interestingly, this is a drastic change in tone from earlier Tron films where ‘users’ were held in the highest of regards. In previous films, ‘users’ were believed to contain an almost God-like benevolence. But not here. Here, Dillinger views Ares as a thing. As a digital creation, his existence is dependent soles on the will of his master.

But Ares isn’t so sure. As he learns more about human existence, he begins to wonder where he fits in on the evolutionary scale. Is life equated with thoughts or feelings? Reason? What does it mean to have purpose beyond the direction of one’s creator? Admittedly, Tron: ARES isn’t entirely sure of the answers to these deeply philosophical questions. Even so, the film is filled with the belief that there is something meaningful about life (and, potentially, death) that can’t be quantified. Beyond the digital trickery and scientific theory, there is something… more that’s inexplicable.

(L-R) Jared Leto as Ares and Jeff BRidges as Flynn in Disney’s Live Action TRON: ARES. Photo by Leah Gallo. © 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

And Ares may have to break away from his ‘creator’ to find out what that is.

In the end, there’s no doubt that Tron: ARES wants to continue this reimagining of the Grid in future entries. And, you know what? Bring it on. Yes, it’s far from perfect. But with almost childlike wonder, Tron: ARES is such a blast to the senses that one can’t help but want to go back for more.

Tron: ARES is available in theatres on Friday, October 10th, 2025.