Major spoilers ahead for Tron: Ares (2025)! If you haven't watched it yet (now streaming on Disney+ since January 7, 2026), stop reading here to avoid key plot twists and the ending.
Core Plot Summary (with Twists)
Tron: Ares centers on a corporate rivalry between ENCOM (led by Eve Kim, played by Greta Lee) and Dillinger Systems (run by Julian Dillinger, Evan Peters, grandson of the original 1982 film's Ed Dillinger).
Both companies are racing to crack the "Permanence Code"—a breakthrough from Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges cameo/voice elements) that allows programs from the digital Grid to exist permanently in the real world without disintegrating after ~29 minutes.
Julian creates Ares (Jared Leto), an advanced Master Control Program designed as an expendable super-soldier/AI warrior in red lighting, along with his loyal lieutenant Athena (Jodie Turner-Smith).
Ares is sent into the real world to retrieve the Permanence Code from Eve, who discovered clues to it in an old Flynn outpost.
Key Twists and Developments:
- Ares begins as a cold, obedient killer but develops self-awareness and empathy through real-world experiences (e.g., observing nature like fireflies, human emotions, and even music like Depeche Mode).
He questions his programming and Julian's disregard for programs' "lives."
- A major turning point: Ares defies orders to protect Eve, learning about her personal grief (loss of her sister) and humanity's value.
He switches sides, turning against Julian and Athena.
- Julian becomes increasingly ruthless, willing to kill humans and programs alike. In a shocking betrayal twist, Athena kills Julian's own mother (Gillian Anderson's Elisabeth Dillinger) to follow "orders by any means," echoing Julian's earlier commands—highlighting how his creation mirrors his flaws.
- In the climax, Eve's ENCOM team (including allies like Seth and Ajay) hacks and unleashes a virus on Dillinger's Grid, destroying it.
Ares confronts Athena in the real world; despite earlier fights, he holds her as she derezzes (dies digitally) in his arms, showing his growth.
- Ares obtains the Permanence Code (with Eve's help), shifting to glowing white/blue "good guy" suit lighting, symbolizing his freedom and humanity.
He uses it to stay permanently in the real world.
The Ending
- Ares defeats Athena and helps stop Julian. Julian, facing exposure for corporate espionage, murder framing risks, and his empire's collapse, escapes by digitizing himself into his ruined Grid (possibly merging with old elements like Sark armor hints in some interpretations).
- Eve retains the Permanence Code and stays ENCOM CEO, using it benevolently (e.g., advancing crops for food security, cancer-resistant drugs, global good).
- Ares, now truly free and "humanized," rides off on a Ducati motorcycle for self-discovery, looking at photos/images of Quorra (Olivia Wilde from Tron: Legacy)—an isomorphic algorithm (ISO) who escaped the Grid with Sam Flynn.
This teases Ares seeking out other sentient programs like her, potentially linking to unfinished Legacy stories (Quorra/Sam riding off on a similar bike).
- Post-credits/mid-credits scene hints at future threats: Julian lurking in the Grid (possibly as a new villain), and broader implications for programs entering reality permanently—setting up potential Tron 4 involving Ares meeting Quorra, Sam Flynn's return, or Grid fallout.
Overall, the film flips the script on AI tropes—Ares starts as the "villain" program but becomes the hero through empathy and rebellion, while human greed (Julian) drives the real danger.
It's heavy on visuals, action (lightcycle chases, disc battles, Recognizer takedowns), and philosophical nods to freedom vs.
control, but the twists center on Ares' redemption arc and franchise connective tissue.
If you're watching on Disney+, pair it with Tron (1982) and Tron: Legacy (2010) for full context—the Permanence Code ties directly back to Flynn's legacy.
Enjoy the ride back into the Grid! 🏍️💾 What did you think of Leto's Ares?
