Jeff Goldblum stars as Zeus, the king of the gods, in the new Netflix series “Kaos.” In promotional materials, he is portrayed as carrying the entire show on his shoulders, mirroring the mythological Atlas. However, the series itself features a diverse ensemble cast where no single character stands strong enough to prevent the narrative from faltering.
Set in a modern-world backdrop where Greek deities exist and govern humanity from Mount Olympus, “Kaos” introduces its main gods through an opening sequence accompanied by Dire Straits’s “Money for Nothing.” This is followed by various character titles that often come with humorous quips. The series, narrated by Prometheus (Stephen Dillane), occasionally breaks the fourth wall, contributing to its irreverent tone.
Despite its attempts at humor, the show’s blend of nostalgic music from artists like Blue Oyster Cult and the Zombies leans heavily on clichés, resulting in a lackluster start. The plot centers on Zeus, who becomes increasingly anxious about losing his power as humans conspire against him. His son Dionysus (Nabhaan Rizwan), seeking his father’s approval, engages in mortal affairs. Although Rizwan delivers a charismatic performance, his portrayal of Dionysus lacks the expected hedonism associated with the god of wine.
Among the human characters, Orpheus (Killian Scott) is reimagined as a pop-rock star, while his partner, Eurydice (Aurora Perrineau), is embroiled in a predictable love triangle. The show oversimplifies the mythological narrative, reducing it to a dull storyline.
The portrayal of the Greek gods fails to distinguish them from other dysfunctional families in contemporary TV, with their powers depicted in unremarkable ways. While Zeus eventually uses a thunderbolt, much of the action feels superficial, as if only a few gods are acknowledged.
The show further suffers from a visual conformity typical of many streaming series, where costumes appear too pristine, particularly notable with characters like the Furies, who lack a gritty edge.
Ultimately, “Kaos” struggles to define what kind of series it aims to be. While some actors bring a vibrant energy, others approach their roles with dramatic intensity. The series lacks a coherent narrative structure, making it neither a compelling adult fantasy nor an effective comedic exploration of Greek mythology.