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The Matrix Resurrections
Movie

The Matrix Resurrections

2021 • Action, Sci-Fi

Woke Score
8
out of 10

Plot

Return to a world of two realities: one, everyday life; the other, what lies behind it. To find out if his reality is a construct, to truly know himself, Mr. Anderson will have to choose to follow the white rabbit once more.

Overall Series Review

The Matrix Resurrections returns to the franchise's core concept, but heavily recontextualizes the world and its meaning. The new story functions as a sophisticated meta-critique of the original trilogy's legacy, particularly the misinterpretation of its central 'Red Pill' philosophy by certain online communities. The film openly rejects the original's emphasis on a singular male savior and a strict binary reality, shifting focus to a message of radical self-acceptance and the power of shared, non-binary identity. The original hero, Neo, is deliberately depicted as emotionally debilitated and dependent, while Trinity is elevated to an equal or superior state of power, with the two ultimately succeeding through a symbiotic partnership. The world outside the Matrix is re-imagined as a place that has moved beyond traditional human-machine conflict and male-female binaries, celebrating a diverse, multi-species, post-Zion community. Antagonists are predominantly white male figures who represent corporate greed, stifled creativity, and the suppression of authentic identity in favor of profitable, rigid control. The film deconstructs the objective, prophetic structure of the previous installments, replacing it with a subjective, psychological, and relational truth.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics8/10

The film heavily features a new crew of characters who are largely diverse in race and gender, forming a highly intersectional team that rescues the white male protagonist. The villains and figures of authority within the Matrix's corporate and systemic structure are primarily older, white males who are depicted as incompetent, stifling, or evil. The hero's own authority is shown to be diminished and at one point overridden by white priority over a strong Black female authority figure.

Oikophobia7/10

The narrative sets up the Matrix not just as a prison but as a critique of contemporary Western digital culture, specifically mocking online discourse, toxic fandom, and big tech's control over agency. Even the former human haven, Zion, is deconstructed by the new characters as a flawed, militaristic, and bloody system. The film celebrates a new, diverse human-machine city (Io), which exists outside of the old Western-centric human-machine conflict.

Feminism9/10

Trinity is explicitly re-established as Neo's equal, attaining the unique powers of 'The One' in a co-heroic, complementary role, fundamentally changing the nature of the prophecy. Trinity's abilities are shown to be the necessary component for their success, with the film concluding on her power surge. Neo spends much of the film in a psychologically weakened, depressed, and dependent state, needing to be rescued and continually encouraged by the female lead and the diverse, mostly female-led rescue crew.

LGBTQ+10/10

The movie is an overt trans-allegory, confirmed by the director, with central themes dedicated to exploring and transcending binaries. A key new character is named 'Bugs,' referencing a figure cited by the director as an early example of a trans character. The new reality outside the Matrix features 'Synthients' and explicitly rejects the 'stark binary between man and machine,' championing a non-binary utopia. The red pill/blue pill concept is criticized for its binary nature, centralizing a queer theory lens in the narrative's foundation.

Anti-Theism6/10

The original Messianic themes of the franchise are deconstructed; Neo's destiny as 'The One' (a Christ-figure) is re-framed as a coded system of control. The transcendent, objective truth of the prophecy is replaced with a subjective, personal truth found through mutual love, effectively undermining the idea of a singular, divinely appointed purpose. The film's spirituality centers on self-actualization and personal reality rather than adherence to a higher, objective moral law.