Netflix added some of my favorite fantasy comedies this year

Netflix added some of my favorite fantasy comedies this year

Not to be outdone by the launch of “Ring of Power” Season 2 on Prime Video, rival streaming distributor Netflix also announced its own fantasy series, “Chaos,” on August 29 But “Chaos” does not lure us to Middle-earth, where Sauron reigns, but envelops us in a very different mythology, that of ancient Greece

Created by Charlie Covell (End of the Fucking World), this epic series is a modern world, but the gods, important characters, and monsters of Greek mythology are alive and well Covell's saga takes key figures and places from this rich mythology and pits them against each other in what is essentially a rich family comedy-drama

They may be two very different projects--this is no classic high fantasy epic--but having already run through a few episodes, I think “Kaos” has the potential to be one of Netflix's best fantasy TV shows And I believe it deserves as much attention as Amazon's Tolkien adaptation Frankly, if “Jeff Goldblum playing a neurotic and paranoid Zeus” doesn't inspire you to at least give “Kaos” a try, I don't know what will

“Kaos” is primarily about the fall of Zeus Zeus, king of the gods, lived a life of luxury and reigned at the top of the pantheon for a long time However, after discovering a new wrinkle on his forehead, he becomes increasingly paranoid that his downfall is finally approaching

Meanwhile, his brother Hades (David Thewlis) is losing control of the underworld, and Zeus' wife Queen Hera (Janet McTeer) is forced to act to maintain her own power as Zeus runs amok Zeus' son Dionysus (Nabhan Rizwan) is searching for his true purpose, and Poseidon (Cliff Curtis) is tired of watching over mortals on earth

The problem is that some humans are beginning to notice that the gods are less interested Lidi” (Aurora Perrineau), Orpheus (Killian Scott), Canaeus (Misia Butler), and Ari (Leila Farzad)

Honestly, what I like most about “Chaos” is its sense of style For example, I seriously appreciate the clash between classic ideas and modern costumes and styles, and the decision to shoot the underworld in black and white That's what gives the show its unique character and makes it stand out in a popular genre

If you need a more specific reason to see the film, it would be the cast; the ensemble in Kaos delivers great performances throughout, but perhaps the most memorable is Goldblum himself For the first time in a long time, he gives a nuanced performance Certainly, being king of these dour gods means that he can rely on his typically droll persona, but there are genuine moments of menace and panic sprinkled throughout that showcase his range, making him a very watchable leading man

Also, those who simply want an interesting story are in luck Kaos is full of twists and turns and has plenty of compelling subplots It's an interesting and intelligent story, packed with action and emotional beats that will absolutely keep you on your toes

If anything, it is this dense plot that makes the “overstuffed” criticisms I've seen more understandable than anything else Kaos weaves many stories together, which means that depth is traded for breadth, but I applaud Kovell's ambition in tackling so many subjects”

Critically, the show works At the time of this writing, Rotten Tomatoes has a 78% critics' rating, which feels too low

The consensus of critics on this site is this: “A riff on Greek mythology, equal parts clever and overstuffed

Hannah Flint, writing for IGN, gave the series a 6/10, writing: Chaos is a respectable rewrite of ancient Greek myths and legends, with a fun dose of originality, drama, and intrigue And Jeff Goldblum, Janet McTeer, and David Souris deftly play dysfunctional, immortal rulers feuding over prophecy and power But it's also a bloated series that fails to adequately serve its vast cast of characters"

”The series is a real treat

Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter's Daniel Fienberg noted that the show “veers from promising to frustrating to disappointing - though there are hints throughout that suggest what could have been,” and that “Kaos,” “creator Charlie Covell is packed with big ideas that he struggles to delve into deeply,” he added Ouch

Thankfully, at least one person agrees with me Lucy Mangan of The Guardian, in a glowing five-star review, hailed “Chaos” as a “masterpiece” and wrote: “Hilarious, profound, and moving, this fantasy series is a huge success The story of Zeus and his friends in the modern age is intelligent, twisty, and action-packed,” he wrote

If you're still not convinced to give “Chaos” a try but are looking for more streaming recommendations, check out our guide to the best Netflix shows you should stream right now

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