Tron: Ares â A Film That Deserved Better
I didn't expect to write this. Like many fans, I approached Tron: Ares with skepticism.
On a quiet weeknight, I finally gave it a shot. And to my surpriseâit was genuinely entertaining. As is my ritual, I dove into a post-watch analysis: box office performance, reviews, Easter eggs, missed details, and most importantly, the themes and lessons embedded in the story. I dig deep, not just because I love movies, but because I respect the processâthe concept, the pitch, the team, the cast, the effects, the mythology. Most casual moviegoers don't think about the gears behind the curtain: distribution, marketing, and the brutal odds of financial success. Tron: Ares, unfortunately, is struggling at the box office.
And that's a shame. Because this film deserved better.
A Visually Stunning Experience with Substance
Tron: Ares has a lot going for it:
A haunting, electric soundtrack by Nine Inch Nails
Yes, I didn't put Jared Leto front and centerâand that's intentional. I've had too many movie experiences ruined by trailers that spoil everything. These days, I stick to teasers and first looks. I've also learned to ignore the noise from fans who demand perfection before even watching the film. In 2025, we seem to have forgotten how to be grown adultsâhow to evaluate a story on our own terms instead of letting others dictate our opinions.
Initial Doubts and Trailer Fatigue
When I first saw the trailer, I had mixed feelings. The visuals were breathtakingâRecognizers and Lightcycles glowing red, invading the real world. It felt overwhelming in the best way. But then Jared Leto appeared behind the visor, and I hesitated. He's undeniably talented, but his track record as a leading man is uneven.
Then I heard Nine Inch Nails. That was enough to convince me to give it a shot.
Later trailers introduced an unfamiliar Asian woman riding alongside Ares. I felt uneasy again. Rumors suggested Ares was a villain, but the trailers hinted at a redemption arc. And yesâI rolled my eyes at what felt like another Disney attempt to inject a "woke" agenda. It seemed abrupt, forced, and ideologically driven rather than story-driven.
But Then I Watched It⌠And Everything Changed
I went in with an open mind. And I'm glad I did.
Jared Leto surprised me. His performance was restrained, allowing other cast members to shine. He acted through subtlety, and I was reminded why he's an award-winning actor. The plot was tight. The nods to Tron: Legacy and the original 1982 film were respectful and well-placed.
Greta Lee's portrayal of Eve Kim, the new CEO of ENCOM, moved me. Her arc was plausible, empowering, and emotionally resonant. I shed a tear. Jodie Turner-Smith's Athena, initially feeling like a forced addition, turned out to be a tragic and intimidating force. She nailed it.
I'm happy to admit I was wrong. Disney did a good job. ThereâI said it.
The Fan Problem: Advocacy vs. Accountability
Streaming success could still be in the cards. Merchandising might help. And fan advocacyâif it actually shows upâcould push Disney to greenlight a continuation, even as a limited series.
But here's the contradiction: fans who claim to love the franchise didn't show up. Even Bruce Boxleitner, the original Tron, pleaded with fans to support Ares despite not returning himself. And stillâcrickets.
What's wrong with modern audiences? Do we expect storytellers to keep the same actors for 50+ years? I don't need to see Olivia Wilde squeezing into her Quorra outfit 15 years later. Legacy ended beautifully. Sam and Quorra's story was complete. Continuing it would require unnecessary drama. Let them have their happy ending.
Disney was right to introduce a new story. Yes, it was "woke"âbut this time, they did it right.
"Woke" Done Right â Yes, It's Possible
My initial skepticism was valid. Many fans feel burned by forced diversity and shallow representation. But when it's done with care, depth, and emotional truth, it transcends labels.
Eve Kim's arc: It felt real. That's good storytellingânot tokenism, but resonance.
Athena's portrayal: From "forced" to "tragic" and "intimidating"âa testament to performance, writing, and my willingness to engage.
Evolving the Legacy Without Erasing It
One of the boldest choices Tron: Ares made was to move forward without leaning too heavily on past characters. That's not betrayalâit's evolution.
Expecting franchises to preserve the same tone, themes, and actors forever is creatively suffocating. Nostalgia is powerful, but it shouldn't be a cage. Ares dared to growânot just in visuals, but in meaning.
Quorra's absence isn't a dismissalâit's a quiet respect. Her story ended with grace. Reimagining her as a maternal or philosophical figure could be beautiful, but forcing her return just to satisfy nostalgia would cheapen that growth.
Sam Flynn's absence is harder to accept, but necessary. His journey was about escape and discovery. Letting him go allows new stories to breathe. Ares didn't erase Legacyâit honored it by building something new atop its foundation.
This isn't about forgetting the past. It's about trusting that the future can carry the torch.
To the writers, designers, actors, and everyone behind Tron: Aresâthank you. You honored the legacy while daring to evolve it. You gave us something fresh, thoughtful, and emotionally grounded. You didn't just recycle nostalgiaâyou built something new.
Even if the box office doesn't reflect it, your work matters. It moved me. And I believe it will move others too, once they give it a chance.
We can't keep sabotaging the stories we claim to love. We can't judge films before we see them, or punish creators for trying something new. Tron: Ares deserved our supportâand it still does.
If you haven't seen it, go with an open mind. You might be surprised, like I was. And if you have seen it and loved itâspeak up. Let the creators know their work wasn't in vain.
