Ares – Netflix Series Review

ARES is a new Netflix horror series. Season 1 has eight half-hour episodes so you can easily watch it over the weekend if you get hooked. The new Netflix series is a Dutch production and it should appeal to a lot of viewers. Read more in our Ares season 1 review here!

Ares is a new Netflix horror series that deals with both a co-ed fraternity and some kind of demonic world. The new horror series on Netflix is a Dutch production, but please don’t let that keep you from watching it. We have seen some truly amazing non-English series on Netflix. 

You might like: Our review of the Belgian thriller series The Break here >

Read more about this new Dutch Netflix series in our Ares series review below.

Also… if you’re looking for an “ending explained” feature: Check out our take on the Season 1 ending of Ares here >

Interesting characters and engaging performances

I wasn’t really familiar with anyone in the Ares cast except for maybe a small role in a movie or TV series that I can’t even remember clearly. However, it really doesn’t matter since all the actors manage to deliver some interesting performances.

The main protagonist, Rosa, is portrayed by Jade Olieberg. I can’t help but think she looks like a babyfaced Thandie Newton, which is a huge compliment since I do adore Thandie Newton. Also, maybe it’s just that her character Rosa is a badass in the same way as Thandie Newton’s Maeve in Westworld.

Working with Jade Olieberg, we have Lisa Smit who plays the most intriguing character on Ares. Her name is Carmen and she clearly knows what she wants and goes for it. Yeah, she’s the one I’m watching when she’s just observing things from somewhere in the background. Also, there’s Jacob who is a friend of Rosa that wants to keep her out of the “Ares Society”.

Jacob is portrayed by Tobias Kersloot who has a different kind of role in all of this. He is struggling with something that we still don’t really know about three episodes in. Also, he’s in contact with some kind of dark supernatural force, which most come in touch with at some point and in some way.

Watch season 1 of Ares on Netflix now!

The new Netflix horror series was created by three people; Pieter Kuijpers, Iris Otten and Sander van Meurs. These names probably won’t be familiar in any way, shape or form to you. However, I can tell you that both Pieter Kuijpers and Iris Otten have written on TV series in the past. And Sander van Meurs has been a producer on several TV series since 2002.

The Ares story builds a bit slowly at times, but it does give you the chance to become familiar with the cast which is a good thing. Also, hopefully, there will be a season 2 of Ares which can expand on this universe.

Season 1 of Ares has just 8 episodes and a total runtime of around four hours, so you can watch the entire thing before being spoiled by online chatter. It starts out a bit slow but has elements of horror from the very beginning.

In other words, do give it a chance if you’re a fan of horror. And if you enjoy stories with a younger cast – we’re talking young adults, not teenagers!

Ares Season 1 premieres on Netflix globally on January 17, 2020.

Details

Creators: Pieter Kuijpers, Iris Otten, Sander van Meurs
Stars: Robin Boissevain, Tobias Kersloot, Jade Olieberg, Lisa Smit

Plot

Aiming to become part of Amsterdam’s elite, an ambitious college student joins an exclusive society, unaware it’s hiding a horrifying secret.