Rapid Insights: KAOS Reimagines Zeus’s Midlife Crisis with a Modern Mythical Twist

Next week, Netflix will be premiering a new fantasy-based dark dramedy series that puts a unique modern twist on classical Greek mythology. The show follows Zeus (Jeff Goldblum), the corrupt and arrogant king of the gods, as he attempts to defy an ancient prophecy and stop three humans with cosmic significance in what amounts to a midlife crisis on Mount Olympus.

Here’s what you need to know about KAOS:

Who will be tuning in for this modern twist on Greek mythology? 
We’re predicting a viewership that’s skewed toward men (62%) and those 30+ (65%). This profile falls right in line with several other series that tackle various pantheons past and present, including American Gods, Moon Knight, and Good Omens; the animated Krapopolis and Blood of Zeus and the teen-focused Percy Jackson and the Olympians, however, lean  younger (52-60% aged 30+).

What type of story will KAOS be telling? 
A tale of a vengeful god. The series charts the out-of-control spiral of the all-powerful Zeus, the ruler of Mount Olympus, who starts to believe that an ancient prophecy–one that portends the end of his reign–is finally coming true, heralded by a new wrinkle in his forehead. As he becomes increasingly paranoid and ruthless, the show revels in his Rage (116), Terror (114), Aggressiveness (114), and Disgust (112), and his urgent quest for Power (118) and Vengeance (115) drives its external conflicts. KAOS blends elements of Horror (125), Fantasy (122), Action (116), and Thriller (111) to craft a uniquely twisted and inventive story.

How important is the Greek mythology of it all? 
Extremely. KAOS reinterprets a broad list of names pulled straight from the annals of classical lore, from gods (Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Dionysus) to mortals (Orpheus, Eurydice, Ariadne, Caeneus) to those in between (Medusa, Prometheus, Minos). The Multiple Storylines (148) that weave together their tales portray a compelling, Distinctly Realized World (140) where the Greek pantheon still lives on Earth among regular humans. This overarching sense of Myth & Fantasy (157) is the show’s #1 overall viewership driver, most notably contributing to its bingeability; the theme also tends to be similarly important for other series that dwell in mythology (e.g., Ragnarok, American Gods, Percy Jackson and the Olympians).

Why will viewers be adding KAOS to their queue? 
For its epic Power Struggle (122). While the story takes place in the present and puts a unique modern spin on ancient Greek mythology, its overarching themes of gods and men are timeless, and KAOS plays up eternal conflicts around dominance, family, and fate. Desperate to maintain his grip on his unruly kin and fracturing empire, Zeus becomes more and more controlling, using his omnipotence (Supernatural Force, 118) to wreak ever-greater havoc (Abuse of Power, 126); in retaliation, brash human Rebels (133) dare to defy his wrath and fight back by renouncing their belief in his pantheon. This clash of wills is what will ultimately drive the show’s ratings.

What will help this series reach a second season? 
Action, comedy, and Emotional Turmoil (114). Alongside its drama and power struggles, KAOS injects a strain of sardonic Twisted Humor (114) that will keep viewers chuckling and scenes of jarringly Bloody Violence (121) that will keep them on their toes, the latter often at the hands of Zeus and his petulant Anger Issues (114). These elements will help keep the show feeling fresh and unexpected, and, intertwined with the near-the-surface emotions of its most volatile characters, will keep the story engine churning through future seasons.