KAOS review: Jeff Goldblum provides glorious chaos in Netflix’s irreverent tale

KAOS review: Jeff Goldblum provides glorious chaos in Netflix’s irreverent tale
4.0 out of 5 star rating

It’s understandable if you feel a bit tired of contemporary adaptations of Greek mythology, given the numerous ones that have emerged in recent times.

Fortunately, featuring a talented ensemble and an unexpectedly grim narrative, KAOS offers a unique perspective that sets it apart.

The Netflix show, developed over a long period by writer Charlie Covell, presents a self-centered, uncaring, and egoistic depiction of Zeus, portrayed by Jeff Goldblum, as he plays the role of the king of Olympus.

Tormented by a prediction he takes as imminent doom, Zeus is determined to thwart this prophecy from materializing in any way possible.

Though his family think him overly cautious, it’s justified for him to feel fearful. The one-time companion now known as Prometheus (currently in torment as Zeus’s captive, having eagles peck at his insides while chained to a cliff) is masterminding his ruin, with unwitting humans playing significant roles if they aim to rescue mankind.

Right off the bat, the show’s tone resonates deeply. It’s cheeky, sharp, audacious, and difficult to find parallels in previous series. Watching it is a gripping experience as Prometheus (Stephen Dillane) embarks on an almost unachievable quest to overthrow the divine ruler of the gods.

The storyline spans extensively, masterfully weaving together various threads set on Earth, Olympus, and what some might find less captivating, the Underworld.

KAOS review: Jeff Goldblum provides glorious chaos in Netflix’s irreverent tale

There’s a stunning juxtaposition in size, as Goldblum, Janet McTeer, and others deliver both intimate family conflicts and catastrophic global events swiftly alternating. One moment, they are arguing over personal matters like relationships and romantic escapades, the next, the destiny of humanity hangs in the balance.

In the course of events, I found myself taken aback by the sudden and chilling brutality and horror that unfolded, striking me like a heavy blow to my core emotions. Yet, despite these shocking moments, the series maintained an eerie sense of humor that kept me engaged and entertained throughout.

Certain aspects require our attention as they’re hard to overlook. At times, Prometheus’s storytelling can be a bit too obvious or forceful, and some plot developments seem predictable.

In other portrayals, the representation of the Underworld as a monotonously corporate setting feels somewhat lacking in creativity, and fails to fully utilize the talents of David Thewlis as Hades and Rakie Ayola as Persephone.

Overall, despite some minor imperfections, they are easy to ignore, largely due to the exceptional acting talent of the cast. Remarkably, their portrayals manage to offer fresh perspectives on characters that have been repeatedly portrayed as the Greek gods.

KAOS review: Jeff Goldblum provides glorious chaos in Netflix’s irreverent tale

Goldblum embodies the role of Zeus flawlessly, making it hard to envision any other actor taking on this part (even though he’s technically second in line). The character of Zeus is brutal, murderous, indifferent, and cold, which would make him unbearable to watch if not for Goldblum’s charm.

Goldblum skillfully portrays Zeus’s terrifying character traits with a touch of humor and charm, creating an intriguing, albeit unstable, figure. This leaves us anxiously anticipating his inevitable demise.

Meanwhile, McTeer is no walk in the park; she’s comparable to Zeus’s wife Hera in terms of her unfriendliness.

Instead of being allies in wrongdoing, they frequently clash throughout the series, yet their peculiar affection remains. Hera, who is cunning, deceitful, and manipulative, becomes someone you find yourself supporting despite her dishonest nature, as she confronts her husband.

As a movie enthusiast, I must say that it’s not the big-name stars who truly shine in this production, but rather the emerging talents who hold their own against acting veterans and absolutely captivate the screen.

It’s clear that Misia Butler, portraying the compassionate character of Canaeus, is on track for greatness following his standout performance and captivating on-screen rapport with Aurora Perrineau, who plays Riddy.

In other settings, Nabhaan Rizwan delivers a captivating performance as the character Dionysis, who happens to be Zeus’s errant and fittingly disorderly son.

Notably, even minor roles have attracted esteemed actors, such as Billie Piper, Cliff Curtis, and Suzie Eazzard. They effortlessly slip into their parts, adding depth to both the human realm and Mount Olympus.

Engrossing viewers from start to finish with its captivating, humorous, and suspenseful storyline, accompanied by a divine soundtrack, KAOS consistently delivers across all eight episodes, ultimately climaxing in a grand and yet unexpectedly dark finale.

The story doesn’t completely wrap up, leaving room for a possible second season. The writers have definitely left the door open, not just slightly but wide, which could be risky given Netflix’s history of cancelling fantasy series. However, let’s hope we’ll delve deeper into the world of KAOS.

The stage has been set – will KAOS reign?

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2024-08-29 10:34