This article contains a brief mention of rape.
SPOILERS for Kaos are ahead!
Netflix’s newest dark comedy,Kaos, perfectly nails one minimized part of Greek mythology, setting it apart from the TV shows and movies that misrepresent the gods.Kaoscharactersinclude famous figures from Greek mythology, weaving together multiple myths with a contemporary overarching narrative. Greek mythology movies and TV shows are nothing new for Hollywood, but audiences typically react in mixed ways to these adaptations because of the beloved source material.
However,Kaoshas received overwhelmingly positive responses from audiences, with one Ancient Greece expert calling it one of the cleverest retellings she’s seen (viaThe Conversation). Part of the reason the series has found success is because the story feels fresh while paying immense respect to the original myths. Additionally,Kaosincorporates and laughs at one part of Greek mythology that is typically left out of TV and movie adaptations.
The Greek Gods Are Actually Terrible In Kaos
The Greek Gods Behave In Irrational, Vengeful, and Morally Dubious Ways In Kaos
When it comes to Greek mythology on TV and in movies, shows tend to bowdlerize the gods, presenting them in a much kinder light.Kaos, on the other hand, stays true to the original myths for the most part. The Netflix show removes the frequent instances of rape by the gods, butit doesn’t shy away from other less appealing parts of mythology that carried over from the Bronze Age.WithinKaos, Zeus loses his watch, and his solution is to murder people. He smashes his son’s head into a table for making a snide comment to Hera, displaying zero regard for his child’s wellbeing.
The family drama, pettiness, and ridiculous temper tantrums are glorious because most Greek gods from the myths are terrible people.
Zeus is also so fragile that he gets offended at someone playing a prank that blasphemed the gods. He prioritizes Hercules over Dionysus, despite the latter being desperate for his dad’s approval. Hera punishes the women that Zeus is sleeping with. Poseidon is sleeping with his sister and his brother’s wife, Hera. Hades is clearly the black sheep of the family, but he also gets all the attention when his wife does all the hard work. The family drama, pettiness, and ridiculous temper tantrums are glorious because most Greek gods from the myths are terrible people.
TV Shows And Movies Need To Show The More Dramatic Side Of The Gods
Theaccuracy of Greek mythology characters inKaosis especially enjoyable because TV shows and movies, especially contemporary versions instead of period pieces, typically downplay the negative aspects of the gods.The gods still have a temper for the sake of the stories, but they’re flattened down to this one trait.
8 Kaos Characters Who Finally Bring Attention To Lesser-Known Greek Myths
Netflix’s Kaos introduces characters from Greek mythology who appear in fascinating, lesser-known stories that deserve much more attention.
In actuality, most Greek gods behaved like they were in a soap opera. They had all the human emotions and flaws but enough power to take them out on everyone. They lie, cheat, kill people for no reason, act on their emotions, engage in incest, bicker, and punish one another. (Though some gods left out of the show have a more compassionate side.) This is precisely how they are portrayed inKaos, making the show feel refreshing.
