After more than a decade away from the big screen, the Tron franchise  has returned with a bold new chapter,  Tron: Ares. This time, the grid expands beyond the digital frontier and into reality, as Jared Leto takes on the role of Ares, a sophisticated Artificial Intelligence program sent on a mission that could change the course of both human and machine worlds.

Directed by Joachim Rønning (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales), the film follows Ares as he rebels against his directive to kill Eve Kim (Greta Lee) to obtain the “permanence code,” a discovery tied to Kevin Flynn’s legacy. His growing awareness and conflict form the emotional core of the film — an exploration of identity and morality in the age of AI.

“The idea of a program existing in the real world fascinated me,” said Rønning. “I wanted to design something new but familiar — a reflection of how technology constantly pushes against the edges of our humanity.”

Alongside Leto and Lee are Evan Peters, Hasan Minhaj, Arturo Castro, Emmy winner Gillian Anderson, Cameron Monaghan, and Jeff Bridges, who reprises his role as Kevin Flynn. The film also marks the long-awaited continuation of the story first launched in 1982’s Tron and reignited in 2011’s Tron: Legacy.

Amplifying the cyberpunk intensity of *Tron: Ares* is its original soundtrack by *Nine Inch Nails*, featuring 24 atmospheric tracks that blend industrial rock with cinematic orchestration. The duo of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, known for their Oscar-winning scores in *The Social Network* and *Soul*, deliver music that mirrors the film’s balance of chaos and consciousness.

For an outstanding and fully immersive experience, Tron: Ares is best seen at SM Cinema IMAX with Laser, available in select branches nationwide. SM Mall of Asia houses the biggest IMAX with Laser screen in the Philippines, while other branches include SM Aura, SM Iloilo, and SM North EDSA. The IMAX with Laser Projection delivers crystal-clear resolution, while the Next Generation IMAX Precision Sound ensures balanced, lifelike audio throughout the theater. Its immersive design also provides ideal vantage points and brightness from every seat.

Tickets are available at https://www.smcinema.com, the SM Cinema app, or through SM Cinema ticket booths. For updates, follow SM Cinema on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

Tron: Ares premiered in cinemas on October 8, 2025, bringing the digital world to life in a way that’s meant to be experienced on the biggest screens.