Ares

Behind the Scenes of Ares (2020): The Dark Dutch Thriller That Divided Viewers

Netflix’s Ares (2020) arrived with a chilling premise: a secretive Amsterdam student society with a taste for the occult and a willingness to cross moral lines. Created by Giancarlo Sanchez and Michiel ten Horn, the Dutch-language series quickly became a talking point—not just for its disturbing themes, but for the intense reactions it provoked from audiences. Some couldn’t finish it; others dissected its hidden details frame by frame. latestnetflix.com's read is that Behind the scenes, the show’s creators and cast leaned into the controversy, offering glimpses of the challenges and creative choices that shaped the series.

The Kotsscène: A Moment That Defined the Show

One of the most discussed scenes in Ares is the so-called "kotsscène" (dorm scene), where lead character Rosa (Jade Olieberg) is subjected to a brutal initiation ritual. The sequence is visceral, uncomfortable, and deliberately ambiguous—was it consensual, or something darker? In a rare behind-the-scenes discussion, Olieberg and the directors broke down the scene’s intent, revealing how they walked the line between shock value and narrative purpose.

Olieberg described the scene as a turning point for Rosa, forcing her to confront the true cost of her ambition. The directors, meanwhile, emphasized that the scene wasn’t just about shock; it was a commentary on power dynamics within elite circles. "We wanted to show how far people will go when they’re desperate to belong," one of them noted in a Netflix-hosted interview . The scene’s raw intensity reportedly required multiple takes, with Olieberg and co-star Tobias Kersloot (who plays Jacob) pushing themselves to deliver performances that felt uncomfortably real.

The Hidden Layers: What Sharp-Eyed Viewers Caught

Ares rewarded close watching. Sharp-eyed fans spotted details that hinted at the show’s twisty narrative, from symbolic imagery to foreshadowing in early episodes. One breakdown video highlighted six key moments that "oplettende kijkers" (attentive viewers) picked up on, including:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzq07wMRWi4

• The recurring raven motif: Ravens appear in multiple scenes, often as omens of death or transformation. Their presence in the opening credits and key plot points wasn’t accidental—it tied into the show’s themes of sacrifice and rebirth .
• Rosa’s wardrobe shifts: Her clothing subtly changes as she descends into the society’s world, shifting from light, student-friendly outfits to darker, more structured pieces. This mirrored her psychological unraveling .
• The significance of the "Ares" name: While the society’s name references the Greek god of war, some viewers speculated it also hinted at the Dutch word "aars" (anus), a crude nod to the humiliating rituals members endure .

These details weren’t just Easter eggs; they were deliberate choices to deepen the show’s atmosphere of dread and inevitability.

The Ending: Why It Left Viewers Debating

The finale of Ares was polarizing. Some called it a bold, ambiguous conclusion; others felt it was rushed or unsatisfying. A dedicated "ending explained" video broke down the final moments, arguing that the show’s true horror wasn’t supernatural—it was the cyclical nature of abuse and power within the society . The directors seemed to confirm this in interviews, framing the ending as a commentary on how institutions perpetuate themselves through trauma.

Yet, not everyone was convinced. Reviews and reaction videos suggested that the pacing of the final episodes left some plot threads dangling, particularly around the fates of side characters like Fien (Lisa Smit) and Maurits (Hans Kesting) . The show’s creators have remained tight-lipped about whether a second season is in the works, leaving fans to speculate—or move on to other disturbing Netflix fare.

**Was Ares Too Disturbing?**

The question loomed over the series from the start: Is this show for you? Reaction videos and reviews framed Ares as a litmus test for viewers’ tolerance for psychological horror. Some praised its unflinching portrayal of toxic ambition; others found it gratuitous or hard to stomach . The show’s marketing leaned into this divide, with trailers emphasizing its "so disturbing people can’t finish it" reputation .

Behind the scenes, the cast and crew seemed aware of the risk. Olieberg and Kersloot reportedly bonded over the emotional toll of filming intense scenes, while the directors pushed for authenticity even when it made the production uncomfortable . Whether Ares succeeded as a horror-thriller or crossed into exploitation territory remains a debate—but it’s undeniable that the team behind it embraced the controversy.