Here's our extensive breakdown of the mind-twisting, eye-melting trailer for Keanu Reeves as Neo, The Matrix transformed into a cultural sensation. Bending backwards, long leather coats, and brightly-colored pills suddenly adopted totally new meanings, and here in 2021, even folks with no interest in dystopian cinema whatsoever understand the basic premise of the Matrix franchise.
Two not-so-thrilling sequels weren't enough to dampen The Matrix's allure, and calls for more have been endless over the past 18 years, with rumors of a sequel, spinoff or reboot never far away. Finally, The Matrix 4 was confirmed in August 2019, with Reeves returning alongside Carrie-Anne Moss' Trinity and a host of exciting newcomers that includes Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jonathan Groff, Jessica Henwick and Neil Patrick Harris. Lana Wachowski will be directing solo on this occasion, with Lilly not returning for The Matrix Resurrections.
Snippets of story have emanated from location shoots and behind-the-scenes trailers, but in typical Matrix style, each answer only raises more questions. But now the first trailer for The Matrix Resurrections has arrived. Whether we're any clearer on the plot is a matter of debate, but the sumptuous visuals, intriguing teases and 1999 throwbacks are more than enough to ramp up the already-feverish excitement. Take the red pill, and dig into this first glimpse of The Matrix Resurrections.
39. It's A Matrix - But Which Version?
The Matrix Revolutions ended with Neo's truce, allowing humans to exit the simulation and reenter the real world of Zion. That clearly hasn't worked out, as The Matrix Revolutions' trailer begins in modern day San Francisco - clearly a reinvigorated Matrix. The real question is which Matrix. Is this the same version glimpsed in the final moments of The Matrix Revolutions, or does the flourishing fake world prove Resurrections takes place in a different simulation altogether?
38. The Psychiatrist's Desk Clues - Black Cats & Blue Pills
The action moves indoors - a stereotypical psychiatrist's office. Immediately drawing the eye is a glass pot of blue pills, which were symbolic of compliance and acceptance in the original Matrix. Curiously, a black cat is crawling over the desk. Fans may a black cat as one of the first glitches Neo truly noticed after meeting Morpheus, and a similar animal was also seen in the rebooted Matrix after Neo died. Looking at the collar, the psychiatrist's pet in The Matrix Resurrections might actually be the very same animal from 1999 (not in real life, obviously), proving we really are right back where everything began.
Behind the desk, a few book titles can be made out, the most significant being Steven Pinker's Blank Slate, or to give its full title, Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature. It's another clue that Neo is denying his true self.
37. Neo Is Thomas Anderson Again
The therapist (more on him later) refers to Keanu Reeves' character as "Thomas," all but confirming Neo has returned to his in-Matrix moniker of Thomas Anderson. It quickly becomes obvious that The Matrix Resurrections' Neo has forgotten what happened during the 3 past movies and now accepts the fallacy of the simulated world around him. Whether this is an older version of Reeves' programmer from the original Matrix film, or simply an brand new avatar, remains to be seen.
36. Neo Is "Triggered"
Thomas' doctor accuses him of being "triggered" - a very purposeful word with very pointed delivery. The Matrix has always thrived on social commentary, and the revival looks to be no different. "Triggered" is a condescending term used to mock people who express hurt, emotion or empathy, and it's interesting that a comparison is being drawn between someone who'd use the word "triggered" and a bluepill intent on shielding Neo from the truth. Could this be Lana Wachowski trying to reclaim her "red pill" from the right-wing figures who appropriated it?
35. Neil Patrick Harris' Therapist Character
Of course, the psychiatrist himself is incredibly important. Neil Patrick Harris appears to be a program in The Matrix Resurrections, charged with repressing Neo's memories and keeping The One a compliant citizen. His alignment to the Matrix is hinted through blue-tinted glasses (the same color as the pills), and the condescending tone suggests he's not being paid to help "Thomas Anderson." The doctor tells his patient that "crazy" isn't a word they use, continuing the trite, stereotypical shrink soundbites. Also notice Harris' prominent red and blue sock stripes, and the red and blue wings of his butterfly display - heavy symbolism to represent Thomas' dilemma between truth and illusion.
34. Keanu Reeves Having Dreams
Thomas describes suffering recurring dreams while The Matrix Resurrections' trailer shows Keanu Reeves walking through a street that quickly turns a familiar shade of glitchy, digital green. The scene more or less confirms Neo's true self remains buried within Thomas Anderson - all the memories, powers and traits we know and love are still there, trying to escape. How Neo lost his memory remains to be seen. Is it merely a symptom of his as-yet-unexplained resurrection? Or is something more sinister happening?
33. The Assassin's Matrix Eyes
As Thomas Anderson recalls flashes of his Matrix dreams, a rapid-fire montage of weird images crosses the screen. Through liberal use of the pause button, we can see a bearded assassin firing a gun at Keanu Reeves, and the shooter's eyes are flickering with Matrix code. Could this be an upgraded feature of the new Matrix? A way of controlling inhabitants without Agents overriding them?
32. The Return Of Bullet Time
In Neo's next flash, he's trying to catch the aforementioned assassin's bullet. This shot confirms 2 major returns for The Matrix Resurrections. It's the first clue (though certainly not the last) that Neo will recover his old powers. More importantly, it's the trailer's clearest use of bullet-time - the variation of slow-motion made famous by 1999's original The Matrix. Obviously much smoother in 2021, it's still the same effect, with bullet air ripples visible across the screen.
31. The Machines Are Back (& Resurrecting Neo?)
Also among Neo's dreams are images of humans plugged into battery pods, just as they were during the original Matrix trilogy. Metallic bugs crawl over pale, exposed torsos to recreate the Wachowskis' H.R. Giger-esque aesthetic. The image buries any lingering suspicions that Neo's victory had any impact - the Machines are back, and humans are their power source once more. It's as-you-were in The Matrix Resurrections - as if someone hit a big blue reset button. More interesting is how these particular Machines seem to be rebuilding Neo, potentially confirming the villains are responsible for bringing The One back.
30. Yahya Abdul-Mateen's Morpheus?
Blink and you'll miss it, but Neo's montage also contains the trailer's first look at Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's character. All speculation points to the actor playing a younger iteration of Morpheus (previously portrayed by Laurence Fishburne), and his little round sunglasses only that theory.
