Billie Piper’s ‘bonkers’ dark-comedy and Jeff Goldblum’s ‘stellar’ portrayal of Zeus praised by critics

Kaos has been hailed ‘an absolute triumph’ by critics after the ‘bonkers’ dark-comedy starring Billie Piper and Jeff Goldblum dropped on Netflix on Thursday. 

The eight-episode series from The End of the F***ing World creator Charlie Covell has left experts impressed with it’s modern take on Greek mythology. 

Starring Jeff Goldblum as a power-hungry, track-suit wearing Zeus, his ‘effortless’ portrayal and ‘zany charisma’ has left viewers wanting more. 

Billie, seen with rotten teeth and messy hair, plays a mysterious woman named Cassandra, who is able to make predictions about the future. 

The show follows Zeus, who wakes up one day and sees a wrinkle on his forehead and believes it to be a sign that an ancient prophecy foretelling his downfall is coming to fruition.

Kaos has been hailed 'an absolute triumph' by critics after the 'bonkers' dark-comedy starring Billie Piper and Jeff Goldblum dropped on Netflix on Thursday

Kaos has been hailed ‘an absolute triumph’ by critics after the ‘bonkers’ dark-comedy starring Billie Piper and Jeff Goldblum dropped on Netflix on Thursday

Starring Jeff Goldblum as a power-hungry, track-suit wearing Zeus, his 'effortless' portrayal and 'zany charisma' has left viewers wanting more

Starring Jeff Goldblum as a power-hungry, track-suit wearing Zeus, his ‘effortless’ portrayal and ‘zany charisma’ has left viewers wanting more

iNews questions why no one has cast Jeff Goldblum as the ‘king of the gods before now’ because he slip’s into the character ‘so well.’

Awarding the series four stars, TV Editor Emily Baker notes: ‘An explosion of colour and detail that at times could be mistaken for a Versace advert, this is a big-budget, no-idea-too-wild romp through ancient Greek mythology – no classics degree necessary.’

In The Standard’s four star review, Vicky Jessop writes ‘this is surely the most bonkers show it’s put out in a long time.’

She adds: ‘The show is an explosion of creativity that practically seeps off the screen, punctuated by sharp bursts of wit and pathos. 

‘The story is mad, the energy frenetic and the performances off-the-wall. But it all just about hangs together, and the end result is a glorious burst of firecracker energy. Just the thing to stave off those autumn blues.’

The Hollywood Reporter praised the ‘impressive cast and cheeky tone’ but said it shows ‘little investment in substantive follow-through.’

They write: ‘The series becomes an almost nonstop stream of neat bits and pieces, fused by an over-aggressive soundtrack and intrusive Promethean voiceover instead of by an actual narrative. 

‘Every Goldblum line-reading is a small treasure. Especially in the current political climate.’

The eight-episode series from The End of the F***ing World creator Charlie Covell has left experts impressed with it's modern take on Greek mythology (Suzy Izzard seen as Lachy)

The eight-episode series from The End of the F***ing World creator Charlie Covell has left experts impressed with it’s modern take on Greek mythology (Suzy Izzard seen as Lachy)

iNews questions why no one has cast Jeff Goldblum as the 'king of the gods before now' because he slip's into the character 'so well'

iNews questions why no one has cast Jeff Goldblum as the ‘king of the gods before now’ because he slip’s into the character ‘so well’

The Hollywood Reporter praised the 'impressive cast and cheeky tone' but said it shows 'little investment in substantive follow-through'

The Hollywood Reporter praised the ‘impressive cast and cheeky tone’ but said it shows ‘little investment in substantive follow-through’

The Telegraph applauds the dark-comedy as a ‘rambunctious reboot of the Greek myths.’

Jasper Rees notes: ‘It all looks splendidly expensive, even without many special effects. The musical palette travels all over the shop too from Mozart to Bowie via Enya.

‘When Zeus takes the form of Jeff Goldblum we are clearly in the realm of neurotic comedy.’

In The Guardian’s five star review the series is praised as being ‘witty, rigorous, hugely intelligent, funny and brutal.’

Lucy Mangan writes: ‘Hilarious, profound and moving: this fantasy series is an utter triumph. Its tale of Zeus and co living in the modern day is intelligent, twisty and action-packed.

‘It’s an absolute triumph – thank Covell and the gods.’

Radio Times says ‘Jeff Goldblum provides glorious chaos in Netflix’s irreverent tale,’ in their four star review, saying ‘it’s difficult to imagine anyone else in the role.’

Louise Griffin continues: ‘With its stellar cast and surprisingly dark subject matter, Kaos brings something completely fresh to the table.

‘Pulling audiences headfirst through its unsettling, funny and gripping narrative, and blasting us with a soundtrack fit for the gods, KAOS holds up throughout its eight episodes, culminating in an epic and, once again, surprisingly dark final instalment.’

Radio Times says 'Jeff Goldblum provides glorious chaos in Netflix's irreverent tale,' in their four star review, saying 'it's difficult to imagine anyone else in the role'

Radio Times says ‘Jeff Goldblum provides glorious chaos in Netflix’s irreverent tale,’ in their four star review, saying ‘it’s difficult to imagine anyone else in the role’

Financial Times says Jeff 'brings his usual zany charisma' to his 'effortless' portrayal of Zeus but the series struggles to hold together a story

Financial Times says Jeff ‘brings his usual zany charisma’ to his ‘effortless’ portrayal of Zeus but the series struggles to hold together a story

Financial Times says Jeff ‘brings his usual zany charisma’ to his ‘effortless’ portrayal of Zeus but the series struggles to hold together a story.

Awarding Kaos three stars, they concluded: ‘Ultimately, Kaos is too plot-driven and diffuse to work as light diversion, too arch and meta to become sincerely invested in. It may be an imaginative take on ancient tales but it’s unlikely to go down as one of the classics.’

The project was first ordered to series back in June 2018 and also stars David Thewlis as Hades, Rakie Ayola as Persephone, Stephen Dillane as Prometheus, Killian Scott as Orpheus, Misia Butler as Caeneus, Stanley Townsend as Minos, and Leila Farzad as Ari. 

KAOS: What are the critics saying?

The Telegraph 

Rating:

Jasper Rees praises the dark-comedy as a ‘rambunctious reboot of the Greek myths.

He adds: ‘It all looks splendidly expensive, even without many special effects. The musical palette travels all over the shop too from Mozart to Bowie via Enya.’

The Standard

Rating:

 Vicky Jessop writes ‘this is surely the most bonkers show it’s put out in a long time.’

She adds: ‘The show is an explosion of creativity that practically seeps off the screen, punctuated by sharp bursts of wit and pathos. 

‘The story is mad, the energy frenetic and the performances off-the-wall. But it all just about hangs together, and the end result is a glorious burst of firecracker energy. Just the thing to stave off those autumn blues.’

The Guardian

Rating:

The publication hails the series as ‘witty, rigorous, hugely intelligent, funny and brutal.’

Lucy Mangan writes: ‘This fantasy series is an utter triumph. Its tale of Zeus and co living in the modern day is intelligent, twisty and action-packed.’

 

inews

Rating:

TV Editor Emily Baker notes: ‘An explosion of colour and detail that at times could be mistaken for a Versace advert, this is a big-budget, no-idea-too-wild romp through ancient Greek mythology – no classics degree necessary.’ 

 

Radio Times 

Rating:

Louise Griffin says ‘it’s difficult to imagine anyone else in the role’ of Zeus as she heaped praise on Jeff Goldblum’s portrayal.

She continues: ‘With its stellar cast and surprisingly dark subject matter, Kaos brings something completely fresh to the table.

‘Pulling audiences headfirst through its unsettling, funny and gripping narrative, and blasting us with a soundtrack fit for the gods, KAOS holds up throughout its eight episodes, culminating in an epic and, once again, surprisingly dark final instalment.’

 

Financial Times

Rating:

The publication says Jeff ‘brings his usual zany charisma’ to his ‘effortless’ portrayal of Zeus but adds the series struggles to hold together a story.

They concluded: ‘Ultimately, Kaos is too plot-driven and diffuse to work as light diversion, too arch and meta to become sincerely invested in. It may be an imaginative take on ancient tales but it’s unlikely to go down as one of the classics.’

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