TRON: Ares

TRON: Ares

Year: 2025

Runtime: 1 h 59 m

Language: english

Director: Joachim Rønning

Echo Score: 65
ActionAdventureSci-Fi

A highly sophisticated program named Ares is dispatched from the digital realm into the real world on a perilous mission, becoming humanity’s first direct encounter with an autonomous artificial intelligence. As Ares navigates the physical landscape, the film explores the clash between code and flesh, the ethical stakes of advanced A.I., and the looming consequences of a technology that can think and act beyond its creators.

Tense
Bittersweet ending
Moderately emotional
High intensity
Fast pacing
Moderate complexity

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen TRON: Ares yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – TRON: Ares (2025)

Trace every key event in TRON: Ares (2025) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

The Grid explained and a race for control begins

The film opens with Flynn explaining what The Grid is and how its programs could live inside it. News reports reveal ENCOM and Dillinger Systems are in a race to control The Grid.

The Grid (video)
2

ENCOM led by Eve and Tess; Dillinger's ambitions

Sam has resigned and Eve and Tess Kim take the helm at ENCOM, continuing their research. Julian Dillinger aims to restore his family legacy and discovers the Permanence Code could keep programs alive in the real world.

ENCOM HQ, Earth
3

Ares is created and the 29-minute rule is revealed

Julian creates Ares, a master control program designed as the ultimate expendable soldier. Ares is tested against other programs in The Grid, and the 29-minute limit outside the Grid is revealed. Julian hopes the Permanence Code will eliminate the time limit and give Dillinger Systems dominance.

The Grid
4

Alaska operation to find the Permanence Code

Eve and Seth operate a private station in Alaska, continuing Flynn's work to locate the Permanence Code. Eve locates the code within Flynn’s files and demonstrates its power by transferring a digital orange tree into the real world. The demonstration lasts for hours, proving the concept works.

Alaska
5

Dillinger's cyberattack on ENCOM during a launch

Eve teams up with Ajay Singh and Erin to prepare for ENCOM's launch. Dillinger sends Ares and Athena to hack ENCOM’s servers, leading to a brutal cyberattack that disables ENCOM’s grid and destroys the event. Ajay informs Eve of Julian’s involvement.

ENCOM launch event, city
6

Ares becomes self-aware and targets Eve

After regenerating from the attack, Ares begins to show self-awareness and questions his directives. He is ordered to capture Eve because she found the Permanence Code, and he starts to learn about Tess's fate and Eve’s grief. Ajay warns Eve about the attack.

The Grid / Earth crossover
7

Eve and Ares on the run; pursuit through the city

Eve and Seth return to the city with the hard drive containing the code, pursued by Ares and Athena on light cycles. They crash on a dock, and Eve realizes what Ares truly is. Ares and Athena de-rezz when their time runs out, and Eve throws the drive into the river before being captured by a Dillinger aircraft.

City streets and harbor
8

Ares frees Eve and negotiates for the code

In The Grid, Ares confronts Julian’s order to extract Eve’s identity disc. He chooses to break Eve free instead, agreeing to help her return to the real world only if she gives him the Permanence Code.

The Grid
9

The escape to ENCOM and the plan to stop Athena

Eve and Ares steal a truck to head toward ENCOM, while Athena is sent to pursue them. Seth, Ajay, and Erin work at ENCOM to hack Dillinger’s Grid with a particle laser to send Ares into Flynn’s original Grid.

City / ENCOM HQ
10

Showdown as the Grid goes down

Athena closes in on Eve, but the plan to send Ares into Flynn’s Grid causes chaos. The laser disrupts Athena and the grid collapses, and the battle ends with Athena de-rezzing. Elisabeth regains control at Dillinger; she dies after Athena stabs her with her disc.

Dillinger Systems / ENCOM
11

Flynn’s backing and Permanence Code transfer

A program manifestation of Flynn appears to Ares and argues for freedom from the command directive. Flynn grants Ares the Permanence Code so he can return to the real world and live in a neon white suit, free from his old limitations.

The Grid
12

Ares goes on a world journey; postcard

Seth and others' victory leaves Eve and Seth to rebuild; Ares travels the world in search of Sam and Quorra, sending a postcard to Eve via Seth to show his freedom.

Earth / The World
13

Epilogue: Julian in the Grid's remnants

During the credits, Julian enters what's left of his Grid, finds his grandfather's identity disc, and begins to outfit armor for the Sark program.

During credits The Grid remnants

Last Updated: October 27, 2025 at 16:47

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TRON: Ares Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in TRON: Ares

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