Warrior Word

By Lavinia Griffith

Have you ever wondered what society would be like if Greek Mythology wasn’t a thing of the past? KAOS is a new Netflix show that focuses on Greek mythology. The main characters include various staples of Greek Mythology, such as Orpheus and Eurydice. Set in a world much like our own, with modern technology and ideals, the largest difference is religion. Where Christianity is woven into today’s society, Greek Mythology is its replacement. The show takes stories known by everyone while adding a fresh new spin. In addition, KAOS stands out for its valuable LGBT representation.

KAOS is the kind of show that looks different on a second rewatch. With prophecies that can be diversely interpreted that gain new meaning with each event, and a narrator (Prometheus) who knows how things are meant to be, the foreshadowing is subtle and complex. Plot twists were consistently surprising, and I never saw them coming. Having knowledge of Greek mythology will not spoil the plot, but simply allows you more insight into the easter eggs and references to the original myths interlaced throughout the retold story.

Furthermore, the casting was remarkably well done. Each character was detailed and none of them felt fake or two-dimensional. The cast was incredibly diverse, and it was enjoyable to see names I recognized from other movies and series’. For example, Zeus was played by Jeff Goldblum, also known as Ian Malcolm on Jurassic Park, and the Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok. Hades was David Thewlis, Harry Potter’s Remus Lupin, and there was even a cameo by Billie Piper, also known for her role as  Rose Tyler on Doctor Who.

The music in the show was originally composed or pre-existing. It was persistently well chosen and matched the scene in both tone and lyrics. 

I must note that as a show based on Greek Mythology, it does not treat it quite like a kid-friendly project such as Disney’s Hercules does. The show does not hide the realities of Zeus and Hera’s relationship. The various mistresses are not shown explicitly on screen but it’s clear what is happening. Furthermore,  some scenes include violence and the language, while not excessive, is not child-appropriate.

As much as I’ve promoted  this show, it does have a relatively major downside. Season One is eight episodes long, and Netflix has canceled it. The news came out a mere 40 days after the show’s release, revealing that there will be no season Two. Season One, as it is, leaves many questions unanswered. The plot is not finished, the characters have more to do, and the cancellation renders a satisfactory conclusion impossible. 

Personally, I’d give this show 10/10 stars and I hope this review convinced you to give it a try!