Why's everyone suddenly obsessed with Netflix's dark comedy 'Kaos'
Netflix's latest comedy-drama, Kaos, is turning heads with its modern-day interpretation of Greek mythology. The show, created by Charlie Covell, features Jeff Goldblum and Janet McTeer as Zeus and Hera respectively. Goldblum, known for his roles in Jurassic Park and Independence Day, bring a charismatic and distinctive charm to the character. The pair's performances have been praised for their unique blend of humour and drama. Should you be watching this show?
'Goldblum as Zeus encapsulates what the show is...'
"Jeff Goldblum as Zeus," Covell said, "Those four words encapsulate what the show is," in an interview with The Independent. When asked about Covell's vision for the show, Goldblum described it as "uniquely sexy and romantic and emotional and moving and touching and complicated and charismatic." He further added, "And, in the case of Zeus: cruel, surprising, unexpected. I liked all that."
'We have to think about a dysfunctional family'
Covell's interpretation of Greek mythology focuses on the dysfunctional dynamics of the gods. Despite their supernatural powers, the gods are portrayed as flawed and complex characters. "We have to think about a dysfunctional family," Covell explained. This theme is reflected in the interactions between Zeus and Hera, as well as their relationships with other characters such as Dionysus (Nabhaan Rizwan) and Hades (David Thewlis).
'Kaos' developed from a short comic play about Clytemnestra
It's pertinent to note that the concept for Kaos was initially developed from a short comic play about Clytemnestra in the underworld, which Covell produced in 2000. The creator described the underworld as a "disorganized dusty s_hole," and Clytemnestra as being processed by a "faceless underworld worker." This early idea evolved into the current show, which combines dark humor with a vibrant visual aesthetic.
'Kaos' draws influence from Slim Aarons's photography
Covell drew inspiration from the photography of Slim Aarons for the visual aesthetic of Kaos. Aarons was known for his images of socialites and playboys in the second half of the 20th century. "Olympus has this sterile beauty," Covell observed, "We were influenced a lot by those sterile pictures of wealth his photographs conjure." "We were influenced a lot by those sterile pictures of wealth that his photographs conjure."
'Kaos' explores timeless themes of power and corruption
Despite its contemporary setting, Kaos explores timeless themes of power and corruption. "There have always been ruling classes and people who abuse power. That's true now as at any point in history. I think that's the timeless theme," Covell emphasized. The show's name, which refers to the primordial state of existence in Greek mythology, reflects this exploration of universal and enduring themes.
