The Matrix Revolutions, The Oracle was a pivotal figure in the complex web of the Wachowskis' fictional world. An ancient program designed by The Machines to intuitively understand human thought, The Oracle was key in constructing a stable Matrix simulation after several failed attempts. This enigmatic piece of software stuck around and became an ally of Zion, using her knowledge to foresee a better relationship between the two warring species.
Deceptively omniscient, The Oracle oversaw the events of the original Matrix trilogy from the background, and while her presence in The Matrix 4 isn't confirmed, The Oracle's ability to change appearance means that a return is certainly plausible. One familiar face definitely coming back for The Matrix 4 is Neo, played by the ever-popular Keanu Reeves. Neo was killed in the climactic scene of The Matrix Revolutions, taking one for the team by allowing himself to be used as a weapon against Agent Smith. Through his sacrifice, Neo was able to end the war between Zion and The Machines, but rumors of the protagonist's death were clearly exaggerated. The method of Neo's return in The Matrix 4 remains a mystery, and where mystery can be found, The Oracle usually isn't too far behind.
Unassuming though she may be, The Oracle played a huge part in Neo's Matrix story. Not only did she recognize and encourage the importance of The One, but she also realized that Trinity's love for Neo would forge a new path where Zion wasn't destroyed during The One's meeting with the Architect. Although The Oracle was later absorbed by a rampaging Agent Smith, it was this power-up that made Smith a threat to The Machines, and only after her demise could Neo broker for peace. Although she might appear as a humble lady baking cookies, The Oracle is the puppet master of the entire Matrix franchise. Could she still be pulling the strings in The Matrix 4?
The Oracle Teased Neo's Return In The Matrix Revolutions
The enigmatic overtures of The Oracle continue until the very final moments of 2003's The Matrix Revolutions, suggesting that the extent of her prophetic knowledge had not yet been exhausted. Following Neo's sacrifice and the end of the Machine-Zion war, the Matrix simulation is reset with the promise that plugged-in humans will be allowed to leave the simulation. The Matrix trilogy's happy ending sees The Oracle, Seraph and Sati watching the sun, contemplating the brighter future Neo has helped created, but when Sati asks her foster parent whether Neo would ever be seen again, The Oracle replies with a wry smile, suggesting that Neo would indeed resurface when the time was right.
Although the scene is intended to put a fluffy final note on the Matrix trilogy, it's an incredibly telling insight into The Oracle's plans and a clear hint that her designs are not yet complete. The Architect accuses his counterpart of playing a "dangerous game" and The Oracle its to Seraph that she never completely knew that her plan would work, merely held out hope. The Oracle also states that peace will last "as long as it can." Combine this ominous warning with her prediction of Neo's return, and it seems that The Oracle foresees the end of peace between mankind and The Machines, and Neo will be called upon once again when that time arrives. The Oracle always maintained that she couldn't see beyond her own death, and therefore couldn't know the outcome of Neo's quest. But since The Oracle is revived by the trilogy's conclusion, does her vision actually extend far into the future?
Theory: Neo's Return Is Part Of The Oracle's Plan
If The Oracle can see into the timeline of The Matrix 4 and is aware of the new villain humanity will face, it's only natural that Neo is the ace up her sleeve. Not only does The Oracle foreshadow Neo's return during her conversation with Sati, but her comments tacitly confirm that she also knows how Neo could be revived - why else would The Oracle speak with such confidence. Although The Oracle often portrays herself as an innocent advisor, she moved all the necessary pieces into place during the original Matrix trilogy, and her final scene proves there's no thought of retirement festering in The Oracle's mind. In fact, The Matrix 4 could just be the next stage in The Oracle's ongoing plan.
Throughout her recurring appearances in The Matrix, The Oracle is often shown baking cookies, and she offers one of these tasty treats to Neo. The Wachowskis have confirmed that a more in-depth explanation of The Oracle's cookies was cut from the movie, leaving fans to speculate as to their true meaning. Some believe the cookies were a metaphor for Neo's development, while others argue that The Oracle was directly feeding Neo new pieces of code to improve his chances of success. Another possibility is that The Oracle's cookie baking was a digital representation of saving data. The Oracle tends to be baking cookies whenever Neo is around, and in computing , cookies are small pieces of data saved onto a device. Instead of implanting code into Neo, it's possible that The Oracle is saving data from him within the Matrix, so that Neo can be restored in the future when the next calamity arises.
Computer code being disguised as food is a recurring motif within The Matrix (the orgasm cake, for example), so paving the way for Neo's resurrection using cookies would only continue that pre-established theme. If The Oracle had been plotting Neo's glorious comeback from the very start through cookies, this would explain her suspiciously confident prediction to Sati, while also providing a full explanation for The Oracle's baking obsession.
What The Oracle's Return Could Mean For The Matrix 4
The Matrix left many details about The Oracle unaddressed in the original trilogy, but being responsible for Neo's resurrection would allow The Matrix 4 to finally those dots. Most importantly, The Matrix never reveals why The Oracle sides with Zion, despite being a creation of The Machines. Is her capacity for empathy the decisive factor? Or is The Oracle simply following her programming? Whatever her reasons, The Matrix Revolutions' final scene strongly suggests that The Oracle's mission isn't over. If the fortune teller is behind Neo's return, The Matrix 4 has carte blanche to explore the "why" of The Oracle - whether she's a product of programming, or whether there's a more human aspect to her actions.
Then there's the lingering question mark over Sati. A rogue program placed into The Oracle's care, the final scene of The Matrix Revolutions strongly implies that Sati is a powerful character in the brand new Matrix, as she claims to have made a sunrise in honor of Neo. Sati's purpose in the new Matrix is never explained, but she seems to be an apprentice of sorts, working at The Oracle's side. Should Neo's return in The Matrix 4 involve The Oracle, Sati will be aware of the master plan, meaning she could return in The Matrix 4 as an adult woman. Perhaps by The Matrix 4's era, Sati has become the successor to The Oracle, possessing all of the original's knowledge and power, as well as her intentions for Neo.
Many of the theories surrounding Neo's resurrection involve elements that are totally new to the franchise, such as time travel or an alliance with The Machines. Making The Oracle responsible would create stronger ties between the original trilogy and The Matrix 4, helping to keep a cohesive narrative while anchoring the modern era in familiar territory.
