On one level, the new series from Netflix KAOS Is PercyJackson for adults; it contemporaryizes Greek mythology and brings it to life in a world not so dissimilar to our own. On another level, it’s a cheeky, often clever deconstruction of that mythology, and while this doesn’t always add up to a coherent story, the show is consistently extremely watchable.
Created by The end of the damn world Author Charlie Covell, KAOS shares the series’ pitch-black humor. Prometheus (Stephen Dillane) narrates the events involving the all-powerful and increasingly anxious Zeus (Jeff Goldblum, wearing a lot of jewel-toned tracksuits). The king of the gods is worried about a prophecy that he believes will bring about the end of his reign, and Prometheus is happy to reassure audiences that his fears are justified. Amid divine family feuds between Zeus, Hera (Janet McTeer), Poseidon (Cliff Curtis), and Dionysus (Nabhaan Rizwan), three people take center stage.
First, there’s Riddy (Aurora Perrineau), short for Eurydice, who feels trapped in her comfortable but meaningless life with her boyfriend, musician Orpheus (Killian Scott). When she dies suddenly and prematurely, Orpheus receives help from a compassionate and industrious Dionysus in his quest to bring her back from the underworld. While Riddy is down there, however, she meets the second important person: Caeneus (Misia Butler). He is one of the many unresolved souls in the underworld and works as an operative who guides the recently deceased into their afterlife. He and Riddy have an instant connection – and a penchant for investigating things they shouldn’t be investigating. The third and final notable person is Ariadne (Leila Farzad), the daughter of Cretan President Minos. She struggles with her family’s authority and her unwavering faith in the gods, which stems from a family tragedy she caused as a child. Somehow, we are told, these three will bring about the end of Olympus as they know it.
There are many supporting characters from myths both large and small, from Cassandra (Billie Piper) to Medusa (Debi Mazar). An underworld-weary Hades (David Thewlis) and Persephone (Rakie Ayola) also carry much of the story, as Riddy and Caeneus spend most of their time in their realm. Mythological in-jokes and tongue-in-cheek references abound, adding to the world of KAOS while also performing some sort of nerdy fanservice for anyone who ever had a Greek mythology phase as a kid.
In this sense, KAOS works as a show that’s easy to get into and enjoy on a superficial level. With frequent narrative twists and painfully obvious pinpricks, it sometimes even seems like the series doesn’t want much more than your attention. Things move quickly and change often, so the show never gets boring, but despite the progression, the plot doesn’t get very far. Revelations seem more convoluted than important, and the eighth and final episode feels more like a mid-season cliffhanger (laying the groundwork for a possible second season), with much of the story left unresolved.
Thankfully, the ensemble manages to plug this leaky plot. As Zeus, Goldblum is able to break out of his wacky role assignment and play with his personality to create a divine king whose eccentricities hide dark impulses. He hasn’t shown this much range in years, and he gets increasingly evil as the series progresses. Rizwan makes a solid impression as the most powerful of Zeus’ bastard children, and the tension he brings to the series is palpable (especially when he’s on screen with Dennis, his scene-stealing kitten co-star).
Covell also does an excellent job of integrating diversity into KAOS in a way that’s both seamless and meaningful. People and gods from all backgrounds and representations appear, and none of the representations feel cheap or contrived. Caeneus’ complex backstory revolves around the fact that he’s trans, and the series is quick to create a metaphor for how ridiculous religious rejection is when it comes to identity. Skepticism about organized religion is at the heart of the series, as Zeus’ whims dictate how people believe they should worship, and it draws many poignant parallels. The series is clever (and it won’t let you forget), its world-building is fascinating, and it builds a story you’ll want to watch. But despite all that, KAOS has yet to make his prophecy come true and reach his full potential.
