Thread
I’m apparently a dissenting opinion on the new Matrix Resurrections movie, in that I actually loved it! I’ve watched it twice already, and working on a third 😁
So, as promised, here’s my thread:
The Philosophy of Matrix Resurrections
*Major Spoiler Warning*
So, as promised, here’s my thread:
The Philosophy of Matrix Resurrections
*Major Spoiler Warning*
First, before you read this, I *highly* recommend you read my Philosophy of The Matrix thread that looks at the original trilogy:
If you have never seen the originals, this movie will make no sense.
It is NOT standalone.
If you have never seen the originals, this movie will make no sense.
It is NOT standalone.
Frankly, this movie is *hugely* meta, wildly sarcastic, and tongue in cheek.
It breaks the 4th wall.
It may be a “sequel” to the WB execs (who are blatantly made fun of in the movie), but I think it’s something else entirely to Lana Wachowski and the core cast.
It breaks the 4th wall.
It may be a “sequel” to the WB execs (who are blatantly made fun of in the movie), but I think it’s something else entirely to Lana Wachowski and the core cast.
If I had to pick a single person in Hollywood who strikes me as Enlightened (or at least on that path), it’s Keanu Reeves. I don’t think he’d have taken on the mantle of Neo again if he didn’t think it was worthwhile. Money does not appear to be his motivation.
Before we look deep, I just want to highlight a few of the parts I found the funniest: 
Seriously, Simulatte 🤣 
Alright, let’s dig deep! First up, “New Morpheus”:
“We can’t see it, but we’re all trapped inside these strange repeating loops.” - Morpheus
This is literally life for most people, endless inane patterns many aren’t even conscious of.
“We can’t see it, but we’re all trapped inside these strange repeating loops.” - Morpheus
This is literally life for most people, endless inane patterns many aren’t even conscious of.
Ahh, another Red Pill Blue Pull scene, but this time around with Bugs waking up Morpheus :) Time to choose?
“The choice is an illusion. You already know what you have to do.” - Bugs
It’s more than that though. Read this: screwthezoo.com/is-free-will-real/
“The choice is an illusion. You already know what you have to do.” - Bugs
It’s more than that though. Read this: screwthezoo.com/is-free-will-real/
Easter Egg: As Bugs and Morpheus run away from the agents, you see a marquee that says “Root of All Evil starting Lito Rodriguez”, which is a nod to a Sense8 actor and episode name, also by the Wachowskis.
And Neo (err, Thomas Anderson, professional game designer) is in the house!
LOVE all the Matrix knick-knacks in his office, especially that middle finger lol 🥰
Side note: keep a close eye on reflective surfaces. Things is not as they appear to be.
LOVE all the Matrix knick-knacks in his office, especially that middle finger lol 🥰
Side note: keep a close eye on reflective surfaces. Things is not as they appear to be.
And of course, here’s Trinity…err, Tiffany. Whatever the joke is, naming her Tiffany, I don’t get it…maybe that was her original name before she woke up the first time? I dunno.
It would have been funnier if they made it Karen 😎
It would have been funnier if they made it Karen 😎
Skip forward a bit, and Thomas Anderson is off to his business partner’s office for a wee chat 😁
“It’s so perfect, it’s gotta be fake.” - Smith
Not a day goes by that I don’t see something in our “real” world that makes me think this is all a game or simulation.
“It’s so perfect, it’s gotta be fake.” - Smith
Not a day goes by that I don’t see something in our “real” world that makes me think this is all a game or simulation.
“I felt either I’m having a mental breakdown again, or I’m living inside a computer generated reality that has imprisoned me again.” - Neo
The funny thing, waking up (existentially speaking) can appear like a mental breakdown.
The funny thing, waking up (existentially speaking) can appear like a mental breakdown.
Thomas Anderson’s “medication” are Blue Pills, I can’t even 🤣 
This quote in the toilet stall as Thomas takes a dump 😎 
“How do you know if you want something yourself, or if your upbringing programmed you to want it?” - Tiffany/Trinity
This is a GREAT question!
This is a GREAT question!
So Tom is now a “suicide” survivor huh? Hmmm.
The “jumping off a building” theme actually has dual meaning…not just a reference to that “first jump” scene with Morpheus from the original, but also (I think) to the ending of Vanilla Sky. Great movie, definitely see it.
The “jumping off a building” theme actually has dual meaning…not just a reference to that “first jump” scene with Morpheus from the original, but also (I think) to the ending of Vanilla Sky. Great movie, definitely see it.
Also, the therapist psychobabble from NPH’s character perfectly showcases the lengths to which we go and the BS we’ll swallow to stay asleep. Therapy helps you “make sense” of this dream world…but if it’s a dream world, why does it need to make sense? Can it ever?
“Looks easy enough. Free my mind…I fly, or I fall.” - Neo
This at the end of a groundhog day type sequence of Tom’s inane routine.
This is actually the level of dissatisfaction necessary to truly wake up, when potential death is vastly preferable to continuing to live a lie.
This at the end of a groundhog day type sequence of Tom’s inane routine.
This is actually the level of dissatisfaction necessary to truly wake up, when potential death is vastly preferable to continuing to live a lie.
“They use bots now, skinned as normal people, which means they’re everywhere and you never know who to trust.” - Bugs
If you spend any time on social media, you know this to be true. Bots. Sock puppets. Deep fakes.
It’s getting harder and harder to know who or what to trust.
If you spend any time on social media, you know this to be true. Bots. Sock puppets. Deep fakes.
It’s getting harder and harder to know who or what to trust.
“Set and setting, right? It’s all about set and setting.” - Morpheus
This seems like a pretty blunt reference to using psychedelics, which can be a very effective tool to aid in waking up.
Highly recommended 🍄
This seems like a pretty blunt reference to using psychedelics, which can be a very effective tool to aid in waking up.
Highly recommended 🍄
“Nothing comforts anxiety like nostalgia.” - Morpheus
Nostalgia is one hell of a drug!
Nostalgia is one hell of a drug!
The discussion between Bugs & Neo about manipulation of the DSI seems like both a reference to us thinking the body we see in the mirror is “us”, and also that how we see ourselves is not how others see us. Could also be a nod to deep fakes & the risk of not knowing who’s real.
Also, the follow-on discussion about time, Neo thinks it has been 20 years, but in the “real world” it has been 60 years.
That game time and real time can differ is actually an interesting component of the simulation hypothesis.
That game time and real time can differ is actually an interesting component of the simulation hypothesis.
“It appears no one found you because you didn’t want to be found.” - Morpheus to Neo
Interesting…did Neo on some level, perhaps thinking Trinity was dead, WANT to remain in the Matrix so he could still see her? In what ways do we keep ourselves asleep by clinging to the past?
Interesting…did Neo on some level, perhaps thinking Trinity was dead, WANT to remain in the Matrix so he could still see her? In what ways do we keep ourselves asleep by clinging to the past?
“Are memories turned into fiction any less real? Is reality based in memory nothing but fiction?” - Morpheus
There’s only ever right now. The past and the future are illusions generated by the mind. Memories are far from accurate, highly biased, easily modified, corruptible.
There’s only ever right now. The past and the future are illusions generated by the mind. Memories are far from accurate, highly biased, easily modified, corruptible.
“Now for the bad news. Your brain is hooked on this shit the Matrix has been force-feeding you for years. Hooked bad.” - Morpheus to Neo
This is pretty much everyone. Hooked on the illusion, hooked on mainstream media, hooked on social/tribal bullshit, hooked on Ego.
This is pretty much everyone. Hooked on the illusion, hooked on mainstream media, hooked on social/tribal bullshit, hooked on Ego.
“They taught you good. Made you believe their world was all you deserve. Some part of you knew that was a lie. Some part of you remembered what was real.” - Morpheus to Neo
Some part of all of us knows what’s real & sees the lies for what they are…
Some part of all of us knows what’s real & sees the lies for what they are…
“Neo: How am I doing? I don’t know. I don’t even know how to know.
Bugs: That’s it isn’t it. If we don’t know what’s real, we can’t resist.”
Until you know where to effectively project your energy to wake up, all your efforts just keep you sleeping.
Bugs: That’s it isn’t it. If we don’t know what’s real, we can’t resist.”
Until you know where to effectively project your energy to wake up, all your efforts just keep you sleeping.
“They took your story. Something that meant so much to people like me. And turned it into something trivial.” - Bugs
I can think of tons of ways to interpret this, but I think it’s referring to Enlightened beings whose stories have been corrupted…Buddha, Jesus, etc.
I can think of tons of ways to interpret this, but I think it’s referring to Enlightened beings whose stories have been corrupted…Buddha, Jesus, etc.
“That’s what the Matrix does, weaponizes every idea, every dream, everything that’s important to us. Where better to bury truth than inside something as ordinary as a video game.” - Bugs
And this is what Maya does, weaponizes EVERYTHING to keep you asleep.
And this is what Maya does, weaponizes EVERYTHING to keep you asleep.
As an aside, the name of Bugs’ ship is Mnemosyne, the Greek goddess of memory, whose role was to help the dead regain memories of their past lives. Fitting!
“That’s what I meant, what you changed that nobody believed could ever be changed…the meaning of ‘our side’.” - Bugs
It’s important to see that Neo as a catalyst was able not just to help humanity, but sentient machines as well. Changing sides (being wrong) is no small thing.
It’s important to see that Neo as a catalyst was able not just to help humanity, but sentient machines as well. Changing sides (being wrong) is no small thing.
“Not all seek control. Just like all do not seek to be free.” - Morpheus
Frankly very, very few actually seek to be free. And many of those still don’t really want what they proclaim to want.
Frankly very, very few actually seek to be free. And many of those still don’t really want what they proclaim to want.
Niobe is still kicking!
“Wise enough to know I don’t know anything.” - Niobe
This is true wisdom, to know that we know nothing. All probabilities, no certainties.
“Wise enough to know I don’t know anything.” - Niobe
This is true wisdom, to know that we know nothing. All probabilities, no certainties.
“It’s so easy to forget how much noise the Matrix pumps into your head until you unplug.” - Niobe
Sounds like a plug for a digital fast, no news, no social, just unplug and go into nature and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Sounds like a plug for a digital fast, no news, no social, just unplug and go into nature and enjoy the peace and quiet.
“Nothing travels faster than light, except gossip.” - Freya
🤣
🤣
“Nothing can breed violence like scarcity.” - Niobe
Mimetic desire is a real bitch.
Mimetic desire is a real bitch.
“Zion could have never made something like this…Zion was stuck in the past, stuck in war, stuck in a Matrix of its own. They believed it had to be us OR them. This city was built by us AND them.” - Niobe
Progress so often requires a changing of the guard.
Progress so often requires a changing of the guard.
Niobe being willing to imprison Neo for the good of IO, putting the well-being of the city over Neo or Trinity…this is what society is, prioritizing the collective good of the group over the individual.
Thus the only way to be truly free is to be separate from society.
Thus the only way to be truly free is to be separate from society.
“Real. There’s that word again.” - Neo
Takes me back to the OG, “What is real? How do you define real?”
We have no clue what is or isn’t real, even though we think we do…
Takes me back to the OG, “What is real? How do you define real?”
We have no clue what is or isn’t real, even though we think we do…
“Everything was simpler back then. People wanted to be free. Sometimes it feels like people gave up. Like the Matrix won.” - Sheperd
This feels like a clear dig to viewers, people who saw the original movie, got the message, and then went back to sleep. Looking around, I agree.
This feels like a clear dig to viewers, people who saw the original movie, got the message, and then went back to sleep. Looking around, I agree.
“I have such dreams Tom. Big dreams…but in order for me to pursue mine, I need to dissuade you from persuing yours.” - Smith
Our society is an engine that runs of consumption and human fuel…to preserve the system, individualistic dreams must be stamped out.
Cough, China.
Our society is an engine that runs of consumption and human fuel…to preserve the system, individualistic dreams must be stamped out.
Cough, China.
Hah ,the Merovingian’s rant is actually pretty on point. “We had grace, we had style, we had conversation, not this beep beep beep beep. Art, films, books, they were all better. Originality mattered. You gave us Face-Zucker-suck and Cock-me-climatey-Wiki piss and shit.” 😂
“I’ve been thinking about…binaries that form the nature of things. Ones and zeros. Light and dark. Choice and it’s absence.” - Smith
Good observation actually. Binary, duality, is what *everything* is composed of.
Good observation actually. Binary, duality, is what *everything* is composed of.
“After we spoke I realized, my life wasn’t alive. At some point I think I gave up searching for something real.” - Neo
That’s the catch when seeking truth, there are many rest stops along the way and it’s SO easy to just stay and stagnate and never move on.
That’s the catch when seeking truth, there are many rest stops along the way and it’s SO easy to just stay and stagnate and never move on.
“I know some of this will be difficult to hear, after everything you went through. All that pain and suffering, only to learn the world doesn’t end when you do. Surprise.” - The Architect
I’m not sure you could better encapsulate the shift to Enlightenment than this!
I’m not sure you could better encapsulate the shift to Enlightenment than this!
“Did you know hope and despair are nearly identical in code.” - The Architect
There’s truth in this…to hope is to focus on the future and wish for things to be different, while despair is more focused on the past and wishing for things to be different.
There’s truth in this…to hope is to focus on the future and wish for things to be different, while despair is more focused on the past and wishing for things to be different.
“Alone neither of you is of any particular value. Like acids and bases, you’re dangerous when mixed together.” - The Architect
I see a few interpretations of this…
I see a few interpretations of this…
One, that all drama comes from duality, and alone is boring.
Two, that making people think they’re alone renders them powerless.
Three, that discontent minds must be kept apart to prevent trouble.
Two, that making people think they’re alone renders them powerless.
Three, that discontent minds must be kept apart to prevent trouble.
“You don’t give a shit about facts, it’s all about fiction. The only world that matters is the one in here (points at Neo’s head), and you people believe the craziest shit.” - The Architect 
This is mainstream media and politics in a nutshell. Your attention and emotions are being constantly manipulated to keep you focusing energy on staying asleep, instead of focusing it on waking the fuck up. 
“Quietly yearning for what you don’t have, while dreading losing what you do. For 99.9% of your race that is THE definition of reality. Desire and fear baby. Just give the people what they want.” - The Architect
This could not be more true 😔
This could not be more true 😔
“The sheeple aren’t going anywhere. They like my world. They don’t want this sentimentality. They don’t want freedom or empowerment. They want to be controlled. They crave the comfort of certainty.” - The Architect
And that’s really it. As in the original:
And that’s really it. As in the original:
What I took away from this movie is this: everything has changed, and yet nothing has changed.
The bullshit persists, just with slightly different packaging.
The bullshit persists, just with slightly different packaging.
Many who could resist, and who want to on some level, are just too comfortable to actually do it.
And even the very best of us can be put back to sleep, with the right system and incentives.
And that should terrify the shit out of you.
Wake the fuck up!
And even the very best of us can be put back to sleep, with the right system and incentives.
And that should terrify the shit out of you.
Wake the fuck up!
I will say, I was disappointed that they didn’t explore the Matrix in a Matrix theory, which I felt was the best possible next step, but alas, I’m not a Wachowski ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
matrix.fandom.com/wiki/Matrix_in_a_Matrix_theory
matrix.fandom.com/wiki/Matrix_in_a_Matrix_theory
Anywho, thanks for reading!
I’ll most likely add this to my blog post here sometime soon, if you prefer that format: screwthezoo.com/the-philosophy-of-the-matrix/
I’ll most likely add this to my blog post here sometime soon, if you prefer that format: screwthezoo.com/the-philosophy-of-the-matrix/
