"Kaos" is a Netflix series that promises to offer a dark and modern reinterpretation of Greek mythology. Created by Charlie Covell, the same mind behind the hit series "The End of the F***ing World", "Kaos" mixes mythological elements with contemporary themes, exploring issues such as power, family, politics and disillusionment.
The series stands out for its bold approach in reimagining the stories of Greek gods and heroes, presenting them as complex and vulnerable characters struggling with their problems. This mix of myth and modernity creates an intriguing world, in which the deities are no longer omnipotent figures, but entities struggling with their own existence and the change of the human world.
Visually, "Kaos" is a work of art: the aesthetics are taken care of in the smallest details, with sets that mix ancient and modern, and a photography that enhances the mysterious and dreamlike atmosphere of the series. The actors' performances are convincing, with interpretations that manage to give depth and humanity to mythological figures often perceived as distant and inaccessible.
The plot revolves around Zeus (played by Jeff Goldblum), the King of the gods, who spirals into paranoia after discovering a wrinkle on his forehead. This simple imperfection convinces him that his downfall is imminent, triggering a series of actions that threaten to destabilize the entire pantheon. To complicate matters, a prophecy states that the appearance of a “line” will lead to the fall of a family and chaos, pushing Zeus to see signs of his fate everywhere.
Hades (David Thewlis), the King of the underworld and once Zeus’s reliable brother, finds himself losing control of his realm, exacerbated by the growing discontent among souls waiting to return to Earth through the process of Renewal. The Queen of the gods, Hera (Janet McTeer), manages the Earth and Zeus in her own way, but her husband’s growing paranoia threatens her power and pushes her to take drastic measures.
Meanwhile, Dionysus (Nabhaan Rizwan), Zeus’s rebellious son, is out of control and ready to clash with his father, while Poseidon (Cliff Curtis) is completely indifferent to the common good, obsessed with his luxurious lifestyle and parties on his megayacht. However, the increasing discontent among mortals threatens to become a concrete danger for the gods.
The true heart of the story unfolds through four human characters: Riddi (Aurora Perrineau), short for Eurydice; Orpheus (Killian Scott), a pop star and Riddi’s boyfriend; Ceneus (Misia Butler), who was raised among the Amazons; and Ariadne (Leila Farzad), who has always struggled with the guilt of her twin brother’s death. These characters, despite having very different lives, are cosmically linked in their fight against Zeus, each with the potential to contribute to the downfall of the gods.
The series uses Greek mythology as a pretext to explore the theme of religion and the limitations it can impose on our lives. "Kaos" poses provocative questions about how religious beliefs can condition our existence, pushing us to live for an uncertain future rather than in the present. The mortals in the series find themselves trapped in a kind of Matrix where their actions are guided by the awareness of predetermined consequences. Covell reminds us that this mindset risks making us forget the value of the present and that the real chaos begins when people start to live in the moment, threatening the very existence of the gods.
Ultimately, "Kaos" is not just a modern reinterpretation of Greek myths but a sharp reflection on the nature of faith and authority. The series challenges viewers to reconsider the role of beliefs in our lives and reflect on how willing we are to change to live free from the constraints imposed by ancient narratives.
