The Matrix (franchise)

{{DISPLAYTITLE:''The Matrix'' (franchise)}}[[File:The-matrix-logo.svg|thumb|right|300px|The Matrix logo]]{{film}}
{{cquote|''Commander Lock: “[[Argumentum ad populum|Not everyone believes what you believe.]]” Morpheus: “[[Appeal to faith|My beliefs]] [[Invincible ignorance|do not require that they do.]]”'' Characters are always talking like this in “The Matrix Reloaded,” which plays like a collaboration involving a geek, a comic book and the smartest kid in Philosophy 101. Morpheus in particular unreels extended speeches that remind me of Laurence Olivier’s remarks when he won his honorary Oscar–the speech that had [[Jon Voight]] going “God!” on TV, but in print turned out to be quasi-Shakespearean [[doublespeak]]. The speeches provide not meaning, but the effect of meaning: [[Deepity|It sure sounds like those guys are saying some profound things]].<br><br> That will not prevent fanboys from analyzing the philosophy of “The Matrix Reloaded” in endless Web postings. Part of the fun is becoming an expert in the deep meaning of shallow pop mythology; there is something refreshingly ironic about becoming an authority on the transient extrusions of mass culture, and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) now joins Obi-Wan Kenobi as the Plato of our age. I say this not in disapproval, but in amusement. “The Matrix” (1999), written and directed by [Wachowski siblings],<ref group=note>This review was written before their transition</ref> inspired so much inflamed pseudo-philosophy that it’s all “The Matrix Reloaded” can do to stay ahead of its followers. |||Roger Ebert (2003)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-matrix-reloaded-2003 |title=Reviews: The Matrix Reloaded |last= Ebert|first=Roger |date=May 14, 2003 |website= RogerEbert.com|access-date= November 1, 2024}}</ref>}}

'''''The Matrix'''''  is ​​a media franchise based on a series of films directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski. Inspired in parts by various other [[science fiction]] novels and films, including William Gibson's ''Neuromancer'',<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120530071034/https://williamgibsonbooks.com/archive/2003_01_28_archive.asp#90244012 "The Matrix: Fair Cop,] William Gibson Books archive.</ref> as well as martial arts films and [[Lewis Carroll]]'s ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'', ''The Matrix franchise'', in particular the original 1999 movie, is now considered one of the most influential science fiction series of all time.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/mar/28/the-matrix-20th-anniversary-sci-fi-game-changer "The Matrix at 20: how the sci-fi gamechanger remains influential"], ''[[The Guardian]].''</ref>  The original film utilized groundbreaking special effects work for its time,<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/03/business/the-matrix-invented-a-world-of-special-effects.html "The 'Matrix' Invented: A World of Special Effects",] ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> and has served as the inspiration for dozens of other pieces of dystopian and sci-fi media. 

The first Matrix movie was a smash hit in 1999, being the 4th highest grossing film that year<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/1999/?ref_=bo_cso_table_1|title=1999 Worldwide Box Office |website=Box Office Mojo|publisher=IMDb|access-date=March 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Top 1999 Movies at the Worldwide Box Office |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-records/worldwide/all-movies/cumulative/released-in-1999 |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=The Numbers}}</ref>, and received rave reviews, launching a multi-media franchise. The success of the first film convinced the Wachowski siblings to shoot two sequels that, according to them, had already been conceived together with the first one. Critically, the two sequels (The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions) failed to replicate the initial success, although the second film doubled the box office gross over the first film. The fourth chapter, Resurrections, was released in 2021, more than eighteen years after the previous one. In addition to movies, the characters and the fictional world described in the story also appear in animation, comics, novels and video games.

Despite being made by two leftist [[Transgender|trans]] women, the film has been co-opted by online right-wing individuals and groups, particularly because of the film's MacGuffins of the red and blue pills.

==General==
The plot centers on Neo, portrayed by Reeves, a [[Messiah|messiah]] figure who discovers that the world is a simulation run by [[Artificial intelligence|artificial intelligence]] that he must defeat in order to free humanity from the titular Matrix, which is used to harvest energy from humans. For the machines, liberated people, who do not bring energy but only free others, are pests. There is a special group of programs called agents, which are led by Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving). They are the guardians of the Matrix, pursuing and killing people whose virtual ego is sent via a pirate signal. The agents are characterized by supernatural strength and speed, are able to dodge bullets and take over the body of any person living in the Matrix. The rules of their existence and behavior have been limited by the rules of the computer program. 

The Wachowskis have cited a variety of sources as references and foundations, including Japanese and Hong Kong action movies, Japanese anime, and the works of {{wpl|William Gibson}}, and have said that they were particularly "based on the philosophy of [[Jean Baudrillard]]." Gibson has praised The Matrix as "undoubtedly the ultimate cyberpunk work of art." The word "Matrix" itself appears in Gibson's Neuromancer, and is also mentioned in Baudrillard's book [[Jean_Baudrillard#Simulation_and_simulacra|Simulacrum and Simulation]], which some believe is the source of the word. There is also a scene in the film where a hardcover copy of Baudrillard's book is shown. There was a plan to hire Baudrillard himself as an advisor from the second film, but he turned it down. The Wachowskis said that they wrote most of the first film's script while listening to [[Rage Against the Machine]]'s "Wake Up." The song is also used as the ending theme for the first film, and the band's name and activities are considered to be the very essence of the world of the Matrix.

===Gender and trans-themes===
The Matrix franchise is notable for underlying themes of transformation and identity, which have been linked to the Wachowskis’ own experiences as trans women. Neo's repeated "rebirths" and journey toward self-realization can be read as metaphors for embracing one's true identity, while the narrative’s emphasis on choice and liberation mirrors the struggles of marginalized groups asserting autonomy. Early drafts of characters, such as Switch (originally intended to be gender-ambiguous) also reflect this fluid approach to identity. Despite this, elements like the "red pill" metaphor have been widely misappropriated by reactionary and anti-trans communities to promote ideological narratives that contradict the filmmakers' intent.<ref>{{cite web |last=  Desta|first=Yohana |date= August 4, 2020|title= The Matrix Was a Trans Allegory, Confirms Lilly Wachowski|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/08/the-matrix-trans-allegory-lilly-wachowski |website= Vanity Fair|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=White |first=Adam |date= August 21, 2020 |title= The Matrix was a metaphor for transgender identity, director Lilly Wachowski confirms|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/matrix-trans-metaphor-lana-lilly-wachowski-red-pill-switch-sequels-a9654956.html|website=The Independent |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref><ref name="Mouriquand2025"/>

==The movies==
===The Matrix (1999)===
[[Image:The-matrix-reloaded.jpg|thumb|right|200px|"I don't like the idea that I’m not in control of my life," says man who has the power to control the universe.]]
The film introduces Thomas A. Anderson, also known as Neo, a computer programmer who secretly lives as a hacker. After encountering Trinity, Neo experiences a series of strange events that lead him to Morpheus, a man labeled a terrorist by authorities. Morpheus reveals the truth about the Matrix, a simulated version of the world, and offers Neo the chance to see reality.

Neo awakens in a post-apocalyptic future where humans created artificial intelligence that turned against them. In an attempt to stop the machines, humans blocked out the sun, but this backfired when machines began using humans as an energy source. Humanity is imprisoned in the Matrix, a simulation of the year 1999. A small group of free humans remains, including Morpheus and the crew of the ship Nebuchadnezzar. Morpheus believes Neo is the Chosen One, destined to end the war between humans and machines.

As Neo trains, he meets the Oracle, who suggests he may not yet be the Chosen One. Meanwhile, Cypher, a crew member who prefers the comfort of illusion, betrays Morpheus to the Agents. Morpheus is captured, and the Agents seek the access codes to Zion, humanity’s last city. Neo chooses to rescue Morpheus with Trinity’s help. They succeed, but Neo is confronted by Agent Smith and barely escapes.

In the real world, machines attack the Nebuchadnezzar while Neo remains connected to the Matrix. Inside the simulation, Neo is shot and killed by the Agents. Trinity’s confession of love revives him, leading to Neo’s awakening as the Chosen One. He stops bullets and destroys Agent Smith. Neo escapes, allowing Morpheus to disable the attacking machines. In the end, Neo returns to the Matrix and declares his intention to free humanity from its control.

===Matrix Reloaded (2003)===
Set a few months after the first film, Neo, Morpheus, and Trinity attend a secret meeting of resistance captains inside the Matrix. They learn that machines are digging toward Zion, humanity’s last city. Most ships are ordered to return to Zion, while one waits for contact from the Oracle. During the meeting, Neo receives a package from Smith, now a rogue program, symbolizing “freedom.”

Back in Zion, Morpheus addresses a massive gathering, revealing the looming machine threat but also inspiring hope. Soon after, Neo meets the Oracle, who tells him he must reach the source of the Matrix and that he will need the Keymaster. Smith appears, revealing a growing connection between himself and Neo before attacking with his clones. Neo narrowly escapes.

When the Nebuchadnezzar returns to Zion to recharge, Commander Lock criticizes Morpheus’s decisions. Despite tensions, Morpheus leaves again with the Council’s approval. When the ship later goes missing, the Council sends other ships to search for it.

Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus seek the Keymaster, who is controlled by the Merovingian. His wife Persephone betrays him in exchange for a kiss from Neo and reveals the Keymaster’s location. After a fight and a high-speed chase involving the Merovingian’s men and the Agents, the heroes escape with the Keymaster.

The Keymaster guides them to the building that leads to the source of the Matrix. Ships coordinate an attack to cut power, suffering casualties along the way. Neo reaches the source and meets the Architect, who reveals Neo is the sixth “Chosen One,” an anomaly designed to reset the system. Faced with a choice between saving Zion or Trinity, Neo chooses Trinity and revives her using his powers.

Upon returning, the Nebuchadnezzar is destroyed by machines. As survivors flee, Neo disables the attacking machines but collapses into a coma. The film ends with the revelation that only one survivor remains from another attack: Smith, now inhabiting a human body.

===Matrix Revolutions (2003)===
''The Matrix Revolutions'' continues immediately after the previous film. The machines are closing in on Zion, Neo remains in a coma, and the city prepares for its final stand. The Oracle tells Trinity and Morpheus that Neo is trapped in a limbo only accessible through the Railway Worker, who answers to the Merovingian. Trinity, Morpheus, and Seraph confront the Merovingian in his club and force him to free Neo.

Neo meets the Oracle, fully aware she is a program. She warns that Agent Smith has become powerful enough to destroy both the Matrix and the real world. Neo believes the war can be ended only by traveling to the Machine City, and Trinity joins him.

As Morpheus and other crews race back to defend Zion, the battle against the machines begins. Neo and Trinity unknowingly carry Smith, inhabiting Bane’s body, on their ship. Neo kills Smith but is blinded in the fight. Upon reaching the Machine City, their ship is destroyed. Neo survives, but Trinity dies from her injuries.

Neo confronts the Deus Ex Machina, the machines’ central intelligence, and offers to destroy Smith in exchange for peace. The machines accept and halt their assault on Zion. Neo is connected to the Matrix and faces Smith in a final duel. Smith cannot understand Neo’s choice to continue fighting, to which Neo answers, “Because I choose to.” Neo allows Smith to overwrite him, knowing this will expose Smith to deletion by the system. Smith and his copies are erased in a burst of light.

In the real world, Neo’s lifeless body is carried into the Machine City as Zion is spared and the machines withdraw. Peace is restored. At sunrise, the Oracle meets the Architect, who confirms that humans wishing to leave the Matrix will be freed. A new era begins for both worlds.

===Matrix Resurrections (2021)===
Sixty years after Neo’s presumed death, peace between humans and machines still holds, and some machines now aid humanity. Programs can even move from the Matrix into the real world. Inside an isolated area of the Matrix, Captain Bugs encounters a strange Agent who helps her escape. He is revealed to be a new version of Morpheus, whom she rescues before deletion.

Thomas A. Anderson lives once again inside the Matrix, believing himself to be a successful game designer who created ''The Matrix trilogy'' as video games. After previously believing the games were real memories, he now undergoes psychiatric treatment and takes blue pills to suppress his “delusions.” He regularly visits a café where he meets Tiffany, an ordinary woman who is actually a new version of Trinity.

Bugs and Morpheus locate Neo’s signal and attempt to free him, but are initially blocked by his psychiatrist, later revealed to be a Matrix program. On a second attempt, Neo is freed and awakens in the real world, where he learns Trinity is still trapped. He is taken to Io, the new human city, ruled by General Niobe. Though skeptical of Neo, Bugs helps him escape, and they plan to rescue Trinity.

Neo confronts Agent Smith and regains his powers over the Matrix. He later learns the psychiatrist is the Analyst, the Architect’s successor, who revived Neo and Trinity to exploit the energy created by their emotional bond. Neo leaving the Matrix has destabilized the system. The Analyst threatens Trinity’s life to force Neo’s compliance.

Persuaded by Sati, Niobe allows the rescue mission to proceed. Neo offers Trinity the choice to leave or stay freely. She realizes who she truly is, but the Analyst attempts to kill them. Smith intervenes, allowing their escape. Cornered, Neo and Trinity leap from a building, but Trinity discovers she can fly. Together, they defeat the Analyst’s control and leave to reshape the Matrix on their own terms.

==Video games==
Following the success of the franchise, a series of video games have been developed, these may contain actual clips from unreleased films and original situations that expand the story. The official Matrix website has also offered several original browser games based on Adobe Flash. The games include:
* ''Enter the Matrix'' (2003) released on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox 
* ''The Matrix Online'' (2005) released on Microsoft Windows 
* ''The Matrix: Path of Neo'' (2005): released on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox 
* ''The Matrix Awakens'' (2021): tech demo for {{wpl|Unreal Engine 5}} and a promotional tie-in to ''The Matrix Resurrections''; released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S and X{{efn|Though the game itself was not ported to PC, Epic released the city environment as a sample project for users to play around in, leading to several fan-made demos featuring characters such as Spider-Man, Superman, and Batman.}}

==Other media==
In recognition of the strong influence of anime on the Matrix series, '''Animatrix''' was produced in 2003, coinciding with the release of Matrix Reloaded. This is a collection of nine animated shorts intended to further flesh out the concepts, story, characters, and setting of the series. The goal of the Animatrix project was to give other writers and directors the opportunity to lend their voices and interpretations to the Matrix universe; the Wachowskis conceived and supervised the process and wrote some episodes themselves, although they were outsourced to other directors for execution.<ref>{{cite book |last=Lenburg |first=Jeff |title=The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons |date=2009 |publisher=Checkmark Books |location=New York |isbn=978-0-8160-6600-1 |edition=3rd |page=256}}</ref>

==Impact==
Since the release of The Matrix in 1999, the franchise has had a profound influence on cinema, popular culture, and philosophical discourse. The series is widely acclaimed for its groundbreaking visual effects, including the innovative “bullet time” slow-motion sequences and the seamless integration of wire-fu with computer-generated imagery, which set new standards for action and science fiction filmmaking. Beyond its technical achievements, The Matrix introduced a narrative that fused cyberpunk aesthetics with deep philosophical inquiries into reality, free will, and consciousness, bringing complex metaphysical ideas into mainstream culture.<ref name="Salisbury2019">{{cite web |last=  Salisbury|first=Mark |date= March 26, 2019|title= The Matrix: how the Wachowskis changed sci-fi|url= https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/matrix-wachowskis-keanu-reeves|website= British Film Institute |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=  Ashton|first=Will |date=August 31, 2019 |title=The Matrix: Exploring The Movie's Impact On Sci-Fi 20 Years Later|url= https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2478644/the-matrix-exploring-the-movies-impact-on-sci-fi-20-years-later|website=CinemaBlend|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

The franchise also left a mark on fashion and style, popularizing its iconic black trench coats and sunglasses, and contributed enduring terminology and symbolism, most notably the concept of the “red pill.” Moreover, it pioneered transmedia storytelling through animated shorts (The Animatrix), video games, and comics, establishing a template for multimedia franchises. Critics and scholars continue to recognize The Matrix’s lasting impact on action filmmaking, cyberpunk media, and broader cultural discussions surrounding technology, identity, and the nature of reality.<ref name="Salisbury2019"/><ref>{{cite web |last=  Walterscheid|first= Kathryn A. |date=2022 |title= The Matrix (film)|url=https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/film/matrix-film |website=EBSCO |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

===Conservative appeal===
Even though this series was created by two transgender siblings, The Matrix franchise has been noted for its appeal to [[conservative]] audiences. In part thanks to interpretive flexibility - as The Matrix is rich in metaphor, philosophy, and allegory - people can easily project their own values onto the movie, regardless even if it runs against its creators' beliefs. Part of the appeal is what is deemed to be the series' emphasis on individualism, personal responsibility, and [[Meritocracy|meritocratic]] achievement. The narrative centers on Neo’s journey to self-realization and moral action, as well as "self-reliance and heroism" that right-wing audiences champion. Another factor is ''the disillusionment towards the [[society]] and [[mainstream media]]'', [[Cherry picking|that they perceive]] is against them and their beliefs, with the "red pill" metaphor having emerged as a kind of symbol that signifies political awakening. The movie also explores themes like questioning reality, fighting against a controlling system, and individual rebellion, which resonates with right-wing skepticism of authority, [[alternative facts|finding their own truths]] and a desire to see their ideal society. Additionally, the series incorporates moral clarity and [[religious]] imagery, such as messianic themes, reinforcing its alignment with traditionalist and spiritual motifs.<ref>Ford, James L. (2000) "Buddhism, Christianity, and The Matrix: The Dialectic of Myth-Making in Contemporary Cinema," Journal of Religion & Film: Vol. 4: Iss. 2, Article 1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32873/uno.dc.jrf.04.02.01 </ref><ref> Niessen, N., (2022) “Forget the Red Pill: Queer Politics but also Transhumanist Ideology in The Matrix”, Film Criticism 46(2). doi: https://doi.org/10.3998/fc.3608</ref><ref name="Mouriquand2025">{{cite web |last= Mouriquand|first= David|date= on 01/12/2025|title= Lilly Wachowski on right-wing misinterpretations of ‘The Matrix’ |url= https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/12/01/lilly-wachowski-on-right-wing-misinterpretations-of-the-matrix|website=Euronews |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

Though not all conservatives appear to be aboard, as some people - like [[The Vigilant Christian]] - consider The Matrix franchise to be one of the [[List of Satanic items according to Christian truthers|Satanic items]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxSW6NTWMP4 "Hellywood's war on God! Transformers, Matrix, and more EXPOSED"]. ''YouTube''. 18 Jun 2014. Retrieved on 18 Feb 2017.</ref>

==The woo it spawned==
While ''The Matrix'' movies are smart and stylish sci-fi films, but they've also led to a lot of weird beliefs because they mix philosophy, tech ideas, and reality in a confusing way. The key thing to notice is that The Matrix leads people into strange thinking when they take metaphors as real physics, replace facts with feelings, mix being skeptical with being smart, and want to feel enlightened without putting in any work. Some philosophical and spiritual interpretations (mindfulness, consciousness hacks, “unlocking your inner Neo”) also feed into pop-philosophy distortions. 

[[Ironic]]ally, all this nonsense thinking is exactly what the machines in-universe would want — to keep people from understanding reality while making them think they're awake. The thing is, you don't need to believe you're in a simulation to question authority smartly, improve your thinking, gain freedom, and build real skills and control. The most "red-pill" move is boring, unglamorous, and powerful: learn how reality actually works and act within it well.

===The world is a simulation / "We are all living in the Matrix"===
The biggest issue regarding Matrix's "Reality Is a Simulation" thing is that it has lead to sloppy conclusions in regards how this idea interpreted. The movie ''does'' a good job of using the simulation idea as a metaphor to show how people often accept social systems without questioning them. This idea connects to philosophical concepts like [[Plato's cave]] and modern thought experiments such as [[Simulated reality|Bostrom's simulation hypothesis]].

Where the woo creeps when people jump from “[[Humor|it’s an interesting possibility]]” to “[[Genuine but insignificant cause|this is literally happening and explains everything]].” Claims like “physics proves reality isn’t real” and “If nothing is real, you can manifest whatever you want” are unsupported conclusions - they’re [[metaphysical]] speculation treated as [[fact]]. Also there's the matter of defining what "simulation" means, because if something is simulated, it doesn't mean there is no psychical feedback (“Simulation” ≠ “Nothing is real"). The type of reality we experience consistently involves physical laws and consequences -- trying to defy gravity would still break your legs. Reality check: Science operates on {{wpl|Testability|testable}} predictions, not [[cosmic]] [[paranoia]].<ref>{{cite web |Author=Metamatics and Jakub Žegklitz-Bareš |date= May 30, 2025|title=Why the Simulation Hypothesis is Unrealistic: Arguments Decomposition |url=https://science.intelligencestrategy.org/p/why-the-simulation-hypothesis-is |website= Breakthrough Science |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref><ref>[https://philpapers.org/archive/JAMTLA-4.pdf The Logical And Physical Impossibility Of The Simulation Hypothesis by Benjamin James (2025)] (PDF)</ref><ref>{{cite web |last= Ouellette |first=Jennifer |date= January 28, 2022 |title= Exploring mind-bending questions about reality and virtual worlds via The Matrix |url= https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/01/exploring-mind-bending-questions-about-reality-and-virtual-worlds-via-the-matrix/|website= ArsTechnica |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

Regardless, some cranks didn't get the memo, and loons that either believe and/or are influenced by The Matrix includes the likes of [[Steve Pavlina]], [[Tom Montalk]], [[Kerry Cassidy]], [[David Icke]] and [[Bernhard Guenther]].

===The red pill/blue pill===
[[File:Red and blue pill.jpg|thumb|right|150px|If you believe this pill shtick for real, consider [[schizophrenia]] medication instead. Also not to be confused with DayQuil and NyQuil.]]
{{See also|Red pill}}
The '''Red pill/blue pill''' thing originates from the first Matrix movie. In it, Morpheus offers protagonist Neo a choice between the red pill and the blue pill, stating to Neo that; ''You take the blue pill... the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill... you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.'' Neo chooses to take the red pill, which causes him to wake up at liquid-filled pod among countless other pods, containing other humans, at a plant harvesting energy for the machines.

Thing is, the methaphor in the movie was about freedom vs comfort, not secret knowledge clubs. Regardless, the concepts of red and blue pills have been widely used as political metaphors since then -- especially in the online hate culture. "Taking the red pill" or "red pill" means waking up from the "public opinion" manipulated by the [[mainstream media]] and other such, causing [[mark|the one]] to awaken and gain independent insights; and "taking the blue pill" or "blue pill" means continuing to accept the lies without reservation. These can include views on issues such as global warming, Judaism, and white supremacy.<ref name="IDS_GLOBAL">{{cite web |author1= Sid Venkataramakrishnan |author2= Tim Squirrell |date= 2024|title= The ‘Manosphere’|url= https://www.isdglobal.org/explainers/the-manosphere-explainer/|website= Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD)|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref>

The whole red pill culture has gone off the rails, with "red-pilled" individuals having deluded themselves that they know better and everybody else is wrong. Thing is: this attitude ''isn’t'' [[skepticism]], it’s '''anti-[[epistemology]]''' (i.e. rejecting all ways of knowing except what flatters you).<ref>Erbil, C., Özbilgin, M.F. & Mergen, A. Red Pill Leadership Behaviours and Discourse Ethics. J Bus Ethics (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-025-06194-4</ref><ref name="IDS_GLOBAL"/>

===Misuse of neurological science===
In The Matrix, its protagonists - notably Neo - can instantly learn [[Martial arts|kung fu]] and bend reality by “unlocking” his mind (the old [[Ten percent myth|"humans only use x% of their brain"]] chestnut). This has fed to the [[delusional]] claims that “humans have dormant super abilities”, “if you raise your vibration / activate your brain, you’ll gain powers” and that “limits are purely mental.” This of course is donkey-doo, as the “x% of the brain” [[Point refuted a thousand times|has been debunked countless times]] - we use most of our brain, just not all at once. And while [[Neuroplasticity|neural plasticity]] ''is'' real, learning still takes time and skill requires effort.<ref>{{cite web |last= Helmuth|first=Laura |date= May 19, 2011 |title= Top Ten Myths About the Brain|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/top-ten-myths-about-the-brain-178357288/ |website= Smithsonian Magazine|access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref><ref>Green CS, Bavelier D. Exercising your brain: a review of human brain plasticity and training-induced learning. Psychol Aging. 2008 Dec;23(4):692-701. doi: 10.1037/a0014345. PMID: 19140641; PMCID: PMC2896818.</ref><ref>{{cite web |last= Bering|first=Jesse |date=2006 |title= The Cognitive Psychology of Belief in the Supernatural|url= https://www.americanscientist.org/article/the-cognitive-psychology-of-belief-in-the-supernatural|website=American Scientist |access-date=December 8, 2025}}</ref> And most importantly '''no one can dodge bullets by [[belief]] alone'''.{{nofact}}

===Gnostic & New Age mashups===
The core philosophy of the The Matrix franchise borrows heavily from Gnosticism (evil demiurge imprisoning souls), Eastern philosophy and Cyberpunk. Problem is, this has manifested in crack-brained beliefs by certain individuals that this movie proposes that “Your true self is trapped in a fake world”, “Awakening releases you from material reality” or that “The body is fake; spirit is all that matters.” This has the effect of leading to [[magical thinking]] replacing responsibility. In addition, this sort of thinking has negative health effects; such as neglect of own well being (as well as work and relationships) and deterioration of mental health (anxiety, dissociation, or paranoia). These die-hard fans neglect to consider that ''usually a good philosophy grounds you more deeply in life -- not less''.<ref>Mischoulon D, Beresin EV. "The Matrix": An allegory of the psychoanalytic journey. Acad Psychiatry. 2004 Spring;28(1):71-7. doi: 10.1176/appi.ap.28.1.71. PMID: 15140812.</ref><ref>Falzon, Chris. (2006). Philosophy and The Matrix. Critical Studies. 97-111. </ref><ref> Chalmers, David J., 'The Matrix as Metaphysics', The Character of Consciousness, Philosophy of Mind Series (2010; online edn, Oxford Academic, 1 Jan. 2011), https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195311105.003.0013, accessed 8 Dec. 2025.</ref><ref> Rossouw, M. P. (2021). "Chapter 3 Slogans for Self-Transformation: How Films Are Thought to Do More Than ‘Think’". In Transformational Ethics of Film. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004460874_005</ref>

===Tech paranoia overreach===
While the Matrix has identified grounded concerns regarding technology - algorithms influencing behavior and surveillance capitalism - it has also expanded into totalizing and often unfalsifiable claims that technological systems exercise near-complete control over human behavior and society. The Matrix anthropomorphizes complex, fragmented, and incentive-driven systems as unified, intentional actors, collapses speculative risks into claims of inevitability or present fact, and portrays human agency as largely illusory. Critics note that this overreach departs from evidence-based technology studies by ignoring system failures, human unpredictability, regulatory intervention, and historical patterns of adaptation and resistance, and that it may foster fatalism or disengagement rather than constructive skepticism or informed action.<ref>Ian Barns, Human redemption in (and of) the matrix of technological modernity, Futures, Volume 37, Issue 8, 2005, Pages 867-880, ISSN 0016-3287, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2005.01.006.</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note|2}}

==References== 
<references />

{{DEFAULTSORT:Matrix, The}}
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Categories: Films, Culture wars, Science fiction, Identity politics, Transgender