Kaos needed to make one big change to the Greek myths in Netflix retelling

As a long-time follower of Greek mythology adaptations, I must admit that Kaos has left me utterly captivated and pleasantly surprised. The way Charlie Covell has flipped these ancient tales on their heads is nothing short of genius. It’s refreshing to see the power dynamics shift, particularly in favor of strong, complex female characters who are given their moment to shine.


Warning: Spoilers ahead for Kaos.

Year after year, we see new interpretations of Greek myths on our screens. In this regard, the fresh retelling by Netflix titled Kaos had to stand out. Remarkably, it has managed to do so by turning traditional mythology upside down.

In this lively reinterpretation of ancient Greek tales, Jeff Goldblum takes on the role of the almighty Zeus. Joining him are distinguished actors such as Janet McTeer, David Thewlis, and Billie Piper.

In Charlie Covell’s contemporary retelling of Greek myths, you’ll notice many variations from the classical versions. However, one significant shift stands out: a substantial portion of power is returned to women in these stories. This subtle change brings about a striking impact, especially in Kaos, where it creates opportunities for talented actresses like McTeer, Piper, Aurora Perrineau, Rakie Ayola, and Leila Farzad to truly excel in their roles.

Kaos wonders: Could it be that Eurydice was not truly in need of rescue from the Underworld? Perhaps Persephone willingly went with Hades, choosing to be with him out of love instead of being abducted. And what if Hera, just as Zeus manipulates her, was also playing him with equal cunning?

As a cinema enthusiast, I can’t wait to delve into the transformations unfolding in this new adaptation. In the classic Greek tale, Eurydice perishes after a venomous snake bite, prompting Orpheus to valiantly descend into the Underworld to retrieve her. However, in the movie “Kaos,” we find ourselves with Riddy (Perrineau) wrestling with the choice of leaving her husband Orpheus (Killian Scott). Tragically, she’s struck and killed by a speeding truck before making her decision – a heart-wrenching departure from the original myth.

In the mythic tale, Orpheus descends into the Underworld with the intention of saving his beloved. However, it’s revealed that she has developed feelings for another while in the underworld (specifically, Misia Butler’s Caeneus), making Orpheus’s rescue attempt more of a hassle than anything else.

Kaos needed to make one big change to the Greek myths in Netflix retelling

Indeed, while Riddy is far from flawless and could have informed Orpheus much earlier about her desire to part ways – it was essential to return this decision-making power to her for a contemporary reinterpretation of the myth, particularly in a tale that’s been recounted countless times.

In other accounts, Ayola’s character, Persephone, assertively reclaims her personal tale. She challenges the traditional narrative where Hades (Thewlis) is said to have kidnapped her, instead claiming love for him, and portraying them as a harmonious partnership.

Rather than simply echoing the tale of Hades and Persephone, Ayola managed to deliver a subtle love story that also incorporated comedic elements, thus avoiding the potential pitfall of a repetitive or stereotypical retelling.

Kaos needed to make one big change to the Greek myths in Netflix retelling

In the captivating world of Kaos, I find myself drawn to none other than the formidable Hera, brilliantly portrayed by McTeer. Far from being just Zeus’s spouse in mythology, she is here a complex character – cold yet protective, calculative yet vengeful. Her jealousy over his numerous affairs is well-known, but in this series, she takes it to another level, engaging in an affair with Poseidon, Zeus’s brother (played by Cliff Curtis).

In the show, there are new characters introduced exclusively for it, such as Piper’s Cassandra. Her narrative becomes even more compelling due to her relationship with Riddy, who is the only one who believes in Cassandra despite others’ dismissal, eventually discovering that she possesses prophetic abilities. Additionally, Ari, a character portrayed by Farzad, takes a harsh action for the benefit of her family and city.

Kaos stands out for numerous reasons, among them its straightforward representation of LGBTQ+ narratives and its resistance to typical storytelling clichés. Remarkably, by making subtle adjustments to well-known tales, Covell has crafted a uniquely original mythological story from Mount Olympus.

They added: “The joy about the myths is that they are eternally relevant. I think you can press pause at any point in human history, and they will be relevant because they’re timeless themes about love, death, power, abuse of power, dysfunctional families.”

By turning the usual narratives upside down, Covell demonstrates that minor adjustments can yield striking results.

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2024-09-02 19:34