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Netflix's recent release Kaos spins a contemporary story with ancient roots and dramatizes the power struggles and personal crises among gods namely Zeus and Hades, and humans with prophetic values. It is created by Charlie Covell, known for her previous work on The End of the F**king World.
The series is based on classical mythology, reimagining the lives and dramas of Greek gods and humans entangled in a prophecy that threatens the reign of Zeus.
Released on Netflix on August 29, 2024, Kaos boasts a lineup featuring Jeff Goldblum as a paranoid Zeus and Janet McTeer as his scheming consort Hera, along with other notable actors such as David Thewlis and Billie Piper.
The show's direction, led by Georgi Banks Davies and Runyararo Mapfumo, creates a visually compelling story that is unpredictable and engaging. The production journey kicked off in June 2018 and involved filming in picturesque locales across Spain and Italy.
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How does Kaos reflect Greek mythological themes?
Kaos brings a new twist to the ancient Greek myths that people might remember, by placing familiar gods like Zeus and Hera into scenarios that resonate with today’s world. The series was steered by Charlie Covell, who introduces a modern backdrop where these age-old characters grapple with issues that don't look out of place in a contemporary drama.
Starting with Zeus, portrayed by Jeff Goldblum - viewers get to see a god as a distant and all-powerful figure and as someone facing his own vulnerabilities. The trigger for the story is a wrinkle on Zeus's forehead, which he sees as a bad omen. The down-to-earth problem of aging is something that any viewer can relate to, and it cleverly humanizes a character that’s often seen as above human concerns.
Hera, played by Janet McTeer, shows a different kind of complication. Instead of just being the queen of gods, she is depicted as cunning and strategic and is involved deeply in the divine politics of Mount Olympus. The series shows her relationship with Zeus in a way that spotlights conflict and complicity, making their dynamic more about partnership than just divine decree.
The inclusion of characters like Medusa, who is traditionally a symbol of danger, is handled with a fresh perspective, as Debi Mazar’s Medusa is less of a monster and more of a misunderstood figure with her own backstory, inviting sympathy rather than fear.
Dionysus, who is the god of wine, is another example of ancient meeting modern. His escapades reflect today’s celebrity culture, where excess and fame often go hand in hand. The series uses Dionysus to comment on both the allure and the pitfalls of a life led in pursuit of pleasure, making him a mirror for some of the excesses seen in modern society.
The modern setting of the show
In terms of setting, the show features the mythical with the everyday, placing immortal gods in environments that viewers will recognize, like modern cities and lush residences that could be found in any luxury travel magazine.
Kaos also uses the underworld as a place of punishment and as a part of its plot engine, as the scenes are depicted with a touch of bureaucratic humor, transforming what is traditionally a world of despair into an office-like environment, with its own set of logistical headaches.
Kaos is now streaming on Netflix with all eight episodes.
