The Matrix message/theme

Spirituality and the quest for human meaning

Is it what we see, touch, and feel that defines reality? For all we know, the reality we live in could be a program engineered by computers that have taken control over humanity. So how do we define reality and illusion?

This is the idea and concept that The Matrix toys with the audience and revolves around. It’s a concept that brings up more questions. Questions such as, can we trust out perceptions? Is it better to live in ignorance or awaken to the truth? Do we really have choices in life or are we programmed?

The Matrix is a highly praised and acclaimed 1999 Oscar winning film directed by the Wachowski brothers. It’s a fun 2 hour sci-fi action flick, however, it is much more than that. It is philosophy, religion, mythology, and theology. The Matrix follows the story of a man searching for purpose and meaning in life. It is not, however, about the result of the outcome but rather the journey and transformation that gets him there.

So, “What is the Matrix?” This is the question that we, humans, seek in our life and it is this question that transforms Neo into “The One”. Neo is not pleased with his life. He feels as if he is restrained by rules that will not let him reach his full potential.

It is this question that drives him throughout the film; drives him to fulfill the emptiness of his life, drives him to keep coming back and wanting to know more. It is also the question that we, the audience, ask ourselves before, during, and after the film.

The Matrix teaches us that there are no limits, there are no rules, and that anything can happen, if only you believe in yourself. There is, of course, evidence of this message and theme throughout the film. The first evidence is when Neo is first tested by Morpheus, he was required to jump from one building to another.

He failed of course and it was because he didn’t believe in himself. He didn’t believe he was The One, nor did he believe he could bend a spoon. He didn’t realize that he is not changing the spoon, he is changing himself. He doesn’t believe. When he does believe however, he realizes that he can do anything. He could defeat Morpheus in a fight or even move as fast as the machines.

Let’s go back to the idea of “Do we really have choices in our life”. When Neo first encounters The Oracle, he says “I’m not that one”. So who says he’s not the one? The Oracle? No, Neo says he is not the one. He doesn’t believe. Neo has listened to a man who convincingly believes he is The One, but he himself doesn’t believe.

What I understood from that scene is that you are in control of your life. No one can make decisions for you, just as Neo had the choice to pick either the red pill or the blue pill. People around you, however, can guide you and show you the path.

For example, The Oracle didn’t tell Neo the future. She instead told him what he needed to hear, something that would force him to make a choice and that choice, alone, is what will really determine if Neo is The One or not. It is the decisions and choices one makes that will determine his fate.

Neo represents each and every one of us; empty and looking for something that would fulfill that emptiness. The Oracle, Morpheaus, Trinity, Cypher, or Agent Smith represent people around you. Some will guide you. Some will believe in you. Some will love you. Some will betray you and some will try to stop you from achieving anything in life.

This message and theme I have spoken about is only one of the many messages in The Matrix. The idea of reality and illusion in The Matrix touches on the teachings of such religions as Gnosticism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Neo, an anagram of “One”, is also believed to be a Christ like figure.

The Matrix is a film that will not only give you answers in life, but will raise questions. It will ask us a question like what are we looking for in life? Why are we here? What is stopping us from reaching our full potential? It is a film that touches on the reasonings why humans do what they do.

It is a film that makes mythology relevant in a modern context. The directors and writers achieved this by setting the film in a futuristic world, writing an intriguing plot, directing cool action sequences, and creating well written and memorable characters. It achieves all that with style by the perfect direction and writing of the Wachowski brothers.

It is not only a film that has great messages but also a film that I had fun watching. The Matrix is a film that will stick in the audience’s mind forever and whenever they watch it, they will always want to investigate their life.