Greek mythology is one of the pinnacle forms of storytelling that has traced back to 2,700 years ago. The religious myths and folktales of gods who once roamed the Earth are said to be the main structure of how humanity works. Excitingly, Netflix have come out with their original show Kaos, a series that delivers a bold, irreverent, and modern take on Greek mythology. And the show is clearly popular, receiving a score of 74% on Rotten Tomatoes with recent talks of a renewal.
Starring Jeff Goldblum, who plays the role of Zeus, this show takes place in Crete, Greece and combines ancient lore with contemporary themes that explore the complexities of the Greek gods we all know and love.
Greek mythology has been interpreted through various art forms, including sculpture, painting, architecture, cinema and now, television. Exploring this ancient folklore, we gain more of an understanding and depth of these stories. In an interview with Virgin Radio UK, author of Mythos, Stephen Fry, emphasises that Greek mythology can help us “learn a thing or two” about the way that we think and act.
In this light, the Netflix original Kaos not only draws inspiration from Greek mythology but also delves into the complexities of human nature, allowing its viewers to identify with the characters’ personalities.
Series Overview
The basis of Kaos explores the relationships between the gods, demigods and mortals that are all connected through a prophecy. When Zeus starts to become aware of this prophecy and his potential downfall, his paranoia pushes him to tighten his grip on the world below. Other gods, each reimagined with a twist of modernism and dark humor, also start to struggle with their own destinies. The drama that exists between the storylines of multiple characters includes Hera, Hades, Poseidon and other mortals who are caught in the gods’ power plays.
Each god in Kaos lives a storyline that is reframed to reflect our current world today, creating a universe where ancient beliefs intertwine with the nature of the 21st century. In Kaos, the gods are not indestructible as they rule humanity; they are deeply flawed individuals, with each character and their storyline representing aspects of human nature. Viewers are able to witness their deepest desires, struggles and arguments that tackle new perspectives on topics.
The series tackles themes of feminism, gender politics, power, identity and relationships, breaking down the characters and the lore that surrounds them. The tone of the show blends dark humor, absurdity and psychological themes. And, while many other Greek mythology retellings lean towards drama, Kaos uses these themes to highlight the absurdity of the gods’ behaviour and the irony of fate.
Mortals, on the other hand, are shown in the show to be grappling with themes of fate and resistance, which can highlight the human quest for the complex answer to the meaning of life. Shedding light on lesser known characters and myths that surround them allows viewers to explore the broader mythological universe, including gods and creatures that were often overlooked in mainstream media.
Visually, the series shows a touch of high fantasy with surreal CGI touches. Viewers of the show will see scenes filled with bright lightning strikes, ethereal landscapes, and modern twists—like gods dressed in name brands including Gucci and the use of smartphones. The humorous touch of modernism on the aesthetic choices underline the show’s message: that the ancient stories of these gods are not relics of the past but are repeated narratives that continue to shape our world and humanity itself.
Characters: A Breakdown
Goldblum’s smooth and charismatic nature in previous roles makes him a household name. It is no doubt that his twist on the Greek god, Zeus, God of lightning, is done in such a new, humorous and refreshing way that it outshines those previous roles. Goldblum’s Zeus focuses on his weakness and insecurities, of which he masks with an overwhelming level of authority and power. His constant struggle to reign all the gods and mortals on Earth while balancing the order of this universe and his prophecy, creates chaos in his family.
Mcteer stars as the Hera, wife of Zeus who is the goddess of marriage, women, and family, and the protector of women during childbirth. McTeer’s Hera is portrayed as a modern-day mother who is feared by many because of her powerful and demanding nature. As she navigates the infidelities and issues of her marriage, she aims to keep her title on the Olympian throne.
David Thwelis stars as Hades, God of the Underworld, and is portrayed as quite misunderstood and almost sheepish to viewers, which goes against the grain of his powerful and intimidating nature in ancient tales. In the show, his character struggles with his image as the brother of Zeus and explores the intricacies of the afterlife.
Cliff Curtis stars as Poseidon, God of the great sea. As another sibling of Zeus, he counteracts the struggles he goes through with the prophecy from the universe and how it affects his role in the family. His character shows the unpredictable nature of being in power of nature and something as unpredictable as the oceans. Curtis’ Poseidon is tempestuous and complex, often clashing with Zeus over matters of authority.
Killian Scott stars as Orpheus, a musician and prophet who is well known for his talents in the city of Crete. Enamored by his wife, Eurydice, in the show he is destined to travel into the Underworld to save her from her fate, unaware of her cosmic significance.
Aurora Perrineau stars as Eurydice, wife of Orpheus and one of the mortals on Earth who is adjacent to Zeus’ tipping of power due to the fate that they share. Her character shows the impact she serves as Orpheus’ muse, but her story takes a unique direction in the series for viewers to see.
My Critique
The illumination of Greek mythology in the past has a tendency to lean more towards a traditional retelling of a collection of stories. In contrast, Kaos takes a different approach by modernising ancient myths through satire, emotional complexity, and a unique visual style, while challenging power structures of gods and their roles in human life.
Kaos does a phenomenal job of using a mythical setting to retell and share ideals of humanity, power, and fate. Its fantastic attempt at merging the ancient tales of Greek gods with modern storytellings, offers viewers a tasteful collection of stories on humanity. The performance shown with this cast truly encapsulates the magical, mythical and almost human-like aspect of the ancient Greecian gods that we’ve learned about.
Overall, the bold and colorful reimaging of Greek mythology in the show keeps viewers engaged while transforming old-age stories into modern day epics filled with laughter and thought-provoking moments. As described by The Guardian, Kaos has a script that is considered “a masterpiece – so confident, so apparently effortless”. This show should definitely be on your watch list for this fall.
Words by Sydney Johnson
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