TRON: Ares (2025)

October 8, 2025 (US) • Science Fiction, Adventure, Action • 119m

Overview

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.

Director

Jesse Wigutow, David DiGilio, Jesse Wigutow

Top Billed

Jared Leto

Keywords

artificial intelligence (a.i.) computer program identity crisis computer simulation sequel business rivalry virtual world digital world real‑world crossover advanced program technological conflict system instability cyber universe quantum computing system breach existential threat

Where to watch

Free / Included

Rent

Buy

Top Billed Cast

David Warner

Master Control Program (voice) (archival audio)

Crew

Collection

TRON Collection

Tron

TRON: Legacy

TRON: Ares

Reviews

ezra

⭐ 6/10

October 10, 2025

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.

show less

Brent Marchant

⭐ 5/10

October 12, 2025

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.

show less

Johan

⭐ 1/10

October 12, 2025

**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.

misubisu

⭐ 7/10

October 12, 2025

##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 i… read the rest.

CinemaSerf

⭐ 6/10

October 15, 2025

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.

show less

Paka_Kariya

October 21, 2025

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 i… read the rest.

Arek Zasowski

⭐ 10/10

November 5, 2025

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!

Dark Jedi

⭐ 8/10

March 23, 2026

Me and the kids sat down and watched this movie a couple of weeks ago. As somewhat of a fan of the original, having watched the sequel and being a sci-fi, computing and sfx geek I of course had to watch this one.

I’ve read some articles claiming it was not that good but I have to disagree. I think it was pretty good. The fact that the professional retards at a certain (very) rotten site claims it to be rotten was of course a sign that it might… read the rest.

Sierbahnn

⭐ 6/10

June 16, 2026

Technically gorgeous, spiritually empty
There is no denying that you can see the budget in the movie, being spent on the fantastic-looking special effects.

It is a shame the story is so devoid of actual meaning, tension or characters you can like or relate to that it just becomes a sort of visual noise.

I don't think Disney understood what made the first movie a classic (it wasn't a hit when it came out) and made a bunch of blunders when t… read the rest.