Tron: Ares Director Describes Film as an Exploration of the Price of Humanity in a Vibrant Digital World

Many enthusiasts of the Tron franchise were caught off guard when it was revealed that Nine Inch Nails would be scoring the upcoming film, Tron: Ares. This unexpected collaboration, however, is actually a thoughtful match for the movie, according to its director, who emphasizes its “industrial” tone.

When the news broke last August, the decision seemed a bit out of left field, especially since Tron: Legacy’s soundtrack is famously the work of Daft Punk, whose electronic beats arguably overshadowed the film itself. But, as director Joachim Rønning shared with Empire in a recent conversation, bringing Nine Inch Nails on board was a deliberate choice meant to give this chapter a “grittier, more industrial” edge.

He elaborated on his vision, saying, “Capturing the contrast between The Grid and the real world has been crucial to my approach. Nine Inch Nails fits seamlessly into the new Tron universe we’re crafting.” Unlike its predecessors, Tron: Ares ventures beyond the primarily digital universe of The Grid and delves into the real world, inviting a fresh and perhaps more relatable backdrop. This shift makes Nine Inch Nails’ soundscape an apt fit, though everything hinges on how the film portrays reality itself.

While the film might flirt with video game aesthetics, Rønning assures viewers there’s a deeper, more emotional narrative at play. “A strong emotional core is what I seek in every story,” he explained. “Expect the film to be more emotionally charged than you might guess—it reflects the complex cost of being human.” This insight is quite pertinent today with the surge of AI, though it does strike an amusing contrast with the film’s portrayal of video game characters engaging in frisbee battles while clad in vibrant suits.

Mark your calendars, as Tron: Ares is slated for theatrical release on October 10, 2025.