Tron Aries

Illustration by Molly Hunter

Welcome to the Grid—a digital frontier, a visual representation of clustered information. Tron: Ares, released in theaters in October 2025 and directed by Joachim Rønning, stands out as one of the most interesting—and arguably most important—films for anyone in the creative industry. It has single-handedly become one of the most visually stunning movies ever created.

To set the stage, the Tron franchise explores a plane of existence known as the Grid, a digital world representing the circuitry and information inside a computer. Imagine it as a vast server populated by many sentient AI beings called programs. Humans outside the Grid can interact with it and even enter and exit. Tron: Ares follows ENCOM’s CEO, Eve Kim, who discovers code that allows anything from the Grid to exist in the physical world for longer than 29 seconds—after which it is “derezzed” (a temporary death). Meanwhile, Julian Dillinger, CEO of Dillinger Systems, goes to great lengths to obtain this code. Ares, a Dillinger Systems program, defects and helps Eve Kim fight off relentless attacks.

From start to finish, I was on the edge of my seat. Every new scene pulled me deeper into the story, making me eager to see what would happen next. The plot drives forward with fast-paced action and immersive visuals that make you forget everything else until the credits roll. Much of the film’s impact comes not just from its narrative, but from its extraordinary visual design.

Visual Design

Tron is famous for its sleek black, technical architecture contrasted with vivid neon reds and blues. Over the years, the series has pushed closer to realism, and Tron: Ares finally achieves it. Every visual element feels intentional, with lighting and color grading standing out as the film’s most iconic features. Like The Dark Knight, The Matrix, or Fight Club, this film establishes a distinct atmosphere largely through how characters are lit and how each scene is graded.

Because Tron relies heavily on visual effects, it has greater flexibility in shaping environments and lighting. One of the most important challenges in VFX is making 3D elements feel believable in a real-world setting. A great example of this is the sheer scale and power conveyed in the city scene where the Recognizer slowly emerges behind a building. The sense of awe from seeing such a massive, otherworldly structure in a familiar environment adds to the film’s immersion. Similarly, the “rezzing” sequences—where beams of light fabricate large programs like a massive metallic 3D printer—are both visually striking and thematically powerful.

What made these moments even more impactful for me was my own recent experience with motion capture. Thanks to a very talented friend, Mackenzi Kelly, president of the motion capture club at SCAD, I had the opportunity to see firsthand how this technology works. Motion capture tracks human body movements and translates them into rigs that can be applied to 3D models, making it an essential tool for animating complex actions. Understanding this process gave me a deeper appreciation for the precision and realism behind the film’s animated performances and visual effects.

The film also pays homage to the original Tron, including a callback to its early low-polygon designs and simpler lighting. Rather than feeling outdated, this moment adds a layer of nostalgia that enhances the overall experience. The attention to detail in every aspect of the design is what truly makes this movie visually stunning.

Cinematography & Sound

If you’re anything like me, you were awestruck by the soundtrack of Tron: Legacy. Daft Punk’s music helped define that film’s identity. While Tron: Ares doesn’t feature Daft Punk, it brings in Nine Inch Nails—and they absolutely deliver. I was initially concerned that the soundtrack wouldn’t live up to its predecessor, but those fears quickly disappeared. The music captures the same energy and atmosphere while adding its own edge.

In many ways, the music of Tron is like magic in Harry Potter—if it doesn’t work, the entire experience falls apart. Fortunately, Tron: Ares understands this and uses its soundtrack to elevate every scene.

Final Thoughts

While the film excels in visuals and sound, it isn’t without its drawbacks. One of my main critiques is that it could have included more scenes within the Grid itself. What the film needs is more—more effects, more environments, more world-building. Audiences want to explore this digital universe and experience something beyond imagination. That’s part of what made Tron: Legacy so successful.Overall, this is not a movie you should miss. Through its incredible visual effects, lighting, and engaging plot, Tron: Ares delivers a powerful cinematic experience. It is a truly stunning film that showcases the future of visual storytelling.