The Matrix
... a world that has been pulled over our eyes to blind us from the truth.
One of the key elements in the challenge of our times is the influence of the mass media - and one of the ways the mass media influence us is by blurring the difference between reality and fantasy. A recent film that takes up this theme is the sci-fi blockbuster 'The Matrix' (starring Keanu Reeves as Neo). In this feature article, Sarah Lamb explores The Matrix from the viewpoint of a follower of Christ:
In the run up to the millennium several films ('Deep Impact', 'Armageddon') addressed the popular theme of the end of time. Of these 'The Matrix' achieved great responses from 18-30 year old cinema goers and also in video sales - according to Stephen Armstrong, writing in The Sunday Times on 13th February 2000, 'The Matrix' had sold three million videos and one million DVDs, making it the best-selling DVD Britain had ever seen. Where some films only provided thrills and adventure, 'The Matrix' succeeded in being both visually stunning and spiritually challenging in the way it engaged with issues of purpose, truth and the end of the world.
According to 'The Matrix', machines with artificial intelligence took over the planet at the end of the twentieth century. Humanity unsuccessfully tried to remove their source of power (solar) and in so doing unwittingly became the power source (body heat). The machines kept humans in a power plant whilst deluding their minds into existing in a false reality, the 'Matrix', which simulated earth and faked normal existence. A man discovered the ruse, managed to become free of the Matrix and freed others. After his death, it was prophesied that he would return to restore all humanity to real freedom. Morpheus, a free man, seeks 'the One' who was promised, with a group of others. In 'The Matrix' Morpheus finds Neo, the person he believes to be 'the One', and his belief is tested.
'The Matrix' communicates something of the Bible's worldview through the use of allegory, and also by themes that run through the movie:
Biblical parallels
We are alerted to the potential for some kind of Biblical allegory by the use of the description 'the One'. Neo (anagram of 'One') is likened to Christ. The script does this overtly when Choi says
Once we make this connection, other parallels fall into place, the clearest allegorical match being Cypher as Judas. Other character 'matches' can be found. Some would extend the allegorical value further to include Neo's birth into 'reality' with Christ's virgin birth and the prediction of Neo's coming, his death and resurrection with that of Christ. There is also a tenuous connection on the theme of sacrifice between Christ coming to serve and give his life for many (Matthew chapter 20 verse 28) and Neo's choice (suggested by the Oracle) of exchanging his life for Morpheus's.
The problem with allegorical parallels between 'The Matrix' and the Gospels, however, arises in knowing when to stop. In this case there are significant shortcomings, including the lack of any concept of sin or atonement. Too many allegorical connections weaken the case for making them at all, but the fact that they do exist, and the film's broad appeal to the 18-30 age group means that it can provide a foundation for useful discussion.
Military Messiah?
Themes running through the film include Neo as a military Messiah, the possibility of the liberation of the mind, the end of the world, and truth. The theme of Neo as military Messiah ties together the vast amount of weaponry used and the idea of restoration and liberation. This theme stands in sharp contrast to the coming of the real Messiah, and followers of Christ have the opportunity of explaining why and how the freedom that comes with knowing Christ is wholly different from the freedom they imagine they need.
'And the truth shall make you free.'
The theme of open-minded examination of reality may also communicate something of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Many young people identify with the idea that all people are slaves to a world system and need 'liberating'. Followers of Christ see this release as coming through a faith that transcends the here and now. Other religions suggest alternative freedoms, and some scenes in 'The Matrix' take obvious examples from eastern religious ideas, including levitation and spoon-bending as forms of mind control.
On the other hand many followers of Christ can identify with Morpheus asking the question
This is followed by
There is a sense of 'trust and obey' in this exchange, no different from any one taking the first steps of faith. An open mind (one that followers of Christ are often accused of not having) is one that can consider everything honestly and then take a stand on what is true (1 Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 21).
Apocalypse when?
Cinema apocalypses needs both a Messiah figure and religious symbolism, but not necessarily anything identifiably divine. Something of God is replaced by something external and physical, for example 'The Matrix'. The catastrophe of the end of time has to be replaced by avoidance or (as happens in 'The Matrix') the emergence of hope for a restoration to true freedom. The problem with these apocalypses is that they rely on human insight rather than divine intervention, redemption and thence life (both in this world and in heaven). It is in this way that followers of Christ can speak about 'The Matrix' on the theme of the end of the world.
Humanity has always been challenged by ideas of greater purpose and seeking after the truth. 'The Matrix' portrays truth as the discovery of something outside of daily experience that can influence awareness of life within that daily experience. It is less about self-awareness and more about connecting with the real world. These are very much Biblical concepts. This also aligns with some aspects of the film's exploration of free-thinking: Completely free thinking is only possible when the mind is free from living within an illusion. In Biblical terms, the choice we make to believe in Christ, is made in the context of a secular world that disputes the validity of our decision, but it is nonetheless a decision that we make without being brainwashed.
'Mythology, theology, and higher mathematics'
The Wachowski brothers have said that they were interested in producing a film about 'mythology, theology and higher mathematics'. There are plans to produce two sequels to 'The Matrix.' The ideas developed in these will enable us to re-evaluate the original film. Hindsight can be a great tutor, and those who have used the film's allegorical qualities to parallel the message of the Bible may end up feeling they were misguided, if a non-Christian spirituality begins to dominate.
However, 'The Matrix' does develop ideas about truth, freedom and reality that should be discussed in the context of faith. The ability to relate to contemporary portrayals of these subjects should be part of every follower of Christ's evangelistic tool-kit.
Web sites
It should go without saying (but we will say it anyway) that by linking to a site, we are not necessarily endorsing it or agreeing with what it says. We have tried to provide a good range of links to sites about the movie, and to comment on the movie. Many of these sites also contain links to more articles and additional sites.
'The Matrix Trilogy' - this review by Mark Saunders has been updated in light of the release of 'Matrix Revolutions'.
'The Matrix Reloaded' review.
'The Matrix' - our original review of the first film in the trilogy.
The official Matrix site
What
is the Matrix?
Part of the official Warner Brothers Matrix web site, this is a collection
of articles on the philosophical implications of The Matrix.
Dark Horizons' review of The Matrix Revolutions
Welcome to the Machines, by Ross Anthony
HollywoodJesus.com's "The Matrix Revolutions" page - commentary from a Christian viewpoint
The Matrix and God-talk in America (part 1) by Terry Mattingley
God-talk
after The Matrix (part 2) by Terry Mattingley
So,
What is The Matrix? Rethinking Reality
Cultural commentator Roberto Rivera sums up the religiously syncretist components
of the the blockbuster film, The Matrix. He makes a strong case for the essential
role biblical Christianity plays in a story like this, namely one that "works"
in terms of inspiration and a worthy storyline. That is reality.
The
Gnostic Matrix
Launching from the first film of The Matrix trilogy and its use
of gnostic themes, Closson goes on to explicate the essentials of Gnosticism
as a historical religion and more recent seedbed for New Age and liberal
"Christian" thinking.
"Who
Put These Fingerprints On My Imagination?" Engaging the Matrix
David Dark ties the human experience of looking beyond the world
system to freedom with the popular film, The Matrix. A very experiential
journey that explains The Matrix like Jesus explicating a parable, borrowing
from Dark's close-up interaction with high-schoolers seeking answers
to the big questions of life.