Inside "TRON ARES": My Screening Experience at The Grove

This week I got to attend an early screening of Tron: Ares before the film officially hit theaters, and I’m taking you with me! The screening took place at The Grove, and let me just say watching this one in IMAX is the only way to do it. The visuals are so immersive, it feels like you’ve been pulled straight into the digital world of Tron.

Screenings like these are usually held across different theaters in central LA since attendees live all over the city. I chose The Grove since it’s closest to me. When you arrive, the first thing you do is check in, look for a small portable table with a black tablecloth where one or two people have the guest list. Once your name is checked off, you get a wristband and a concessions ticket that covers a complimentary drink and popcorn. I had already eaten dinner, so I skipped the popcorn but grabbed a water before heading to my seat.

I got there early, which paid off because seating is first come, first served unless there are reserved spots for cast, crew, or press, depending on the screening type.

Now, onto the film itself. Tron: Ares honestly surprised me in the best way. I loved that the female lead, Eve Kim (played by Greta Lee), is a sharp, tech-savvy CEO, not another predictable love interest. Don’t get me wrong, we all love a little romance, but it was refreshing to see a strong female character whose story didn’t revolve around falling in love. Instead, her connection with Ares (played by Jared Leto) develops into a genuine friendship, which the film highlights beautifully.

The movie dives deep into the world of artificial intelligence exploring the possibility of making AI beings real. Tron: Ares marks the long-awaited return of Disney’s iconic sci-fi franchise, blending cutting-edge visuals with a modern take on technology and digital identity. Directed by Joachim Rønning and starring Jared Leto, Greta Lee, and Evan Peters, the film follows Ares, a powerful AI program brought into the real world as he’s tasked with securing a “permanence code” that could make digital beings truly human. As he begins to question his purpose, a power struggle unfolds between rival tech empires Encom and Dillinger Corp, blurring the line between creator and creation. With a haunting score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross and a cameo from Jeff Bridges, Tron: Ares expands the franchise’s universe while raising timely questions about consciousness, control, and connection.

It’s a film you can take the whole family to or even enjoy as a date night. But if you’re going to watch it, trust me watch it in IMAX. The experience is completely immersive, and for a moment, you really do feel like you’ve been sucked into the neon world of Tron.