The Matrix came out in 1999 with good reviews and blockbuster weekends. It is a science-fiction action film written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski. The film has become a revolutionary film in that many of the actions scenes and cinematography challenged the audience and gave the next generation of films a higher standard to live up too. The innovative use of ‘bullet time’ has become popular in many current films.The film’s story line begins with Thomas Anderson a computer hacker by night and normal business man by day. During his escapad
es as a hacker he finds mention of something called The Matrix but he cannot find what it is. He is lured out by a strange message on his computer to learn about the Matrix. Anderson meets the infamous hacker named Morpheus who tells him he can learn the real truth of the Matrix or continue on in his normal life oblivious to its existence, living life as normal. But Morpheus warns that if he travels the road less traveled to truth he will not be able to go back. Anderson is to choose between the blue pill, life as before, or the red pill, knowledge of the truth. He chooses the red pill.Because of Thomas Anderson’s choice he now seems to take on the name of Neo, his hacker name, in the now real world. Neo finds that the world he knew was not the real world but one created by computers after a type of domes day that one could relate to in the movie Terminator. Computers are in control, using people as a source power to keep them functioning. People are grown in fields by the machines and never know what physical life is but live life only in a created mental state/world called the Matrix. Yet, there are some that have escaped and are building a world of free humans again called Zion.
The ragtag group that Neo is now joined with includes Morpheous, Trinity, Cypher, Tank,
Mouse, etc. They all travel underground on a hover ship called The Nebuchadnezzar. Neo goes through numerous physical and mental changes as he accepts his new world and is trained to understand The Matrix limits and non-limits. Neo learns that in the Matrix your only limitation is your faith or belief in oneself. If you think believe you can do amazing feats then you can. The Matrix is a simulated reality and the laws of physics do not have to apply.Neo is also taught that the machines know of the groups of renegades outside of the Matrix and they try to eliminate these pesky humans. The machines goal is to finding Zion and destroying all of these rebellious humans. In the Matrix are programs made by the machines to help identify the outside humans that infiltrate the Matrix trying to free other humans. These programs agents are to destroy anyone that is not to be there. The head of these agents is one called Mr. Smith.
There are other ships sent from Zi
on to do the same thing as the Nebuchadnezzar. What Neo also finds out is in their goal of freeing other humans that are ready to know the true state of reality that there is also a prophesy. The prophesy tells that there is One that will come and free all those trapped in the Matrix, bringing about a new order. Morpheous believes that Neo is the “One.” As the movie progress, Neo does seem to have something special about him as he can do more superhuman acts in the Matrix than anyone before him.
Allegory of the Matrix
Neo has been referred to as metaphorical Jesus figure in this movie. There are numerous symbolic reference that can be associated with Christianity throughout the film. Some have even pointed out that Christianity is not the only religion that this movie could have symbolic references too. Some belief there is Buddhism, Hinduism, Muslim, and Gnosticism.
During our class discussion many found that they did not care for the film or did not see the same symbolic references to a Jesus figure. There is a lot of violence in the film, for many this did not follow the teachings of Jesus. Some of the scientific technologies used where questionable in class discussion. There where some that could see the relevance of using certain scenes in the film for evangelistic use or in some from of Christian context.
Personally this is one of my favorite films, not necessarily as a Jesus film but high on my list. It has many great allegorical moment in the film that I have used for discussion with youth and my own children. For me, every time I see the film there is something new. As in the Bible I find when I read passages and reread them again later I find something new.
In this short blog, I feel I cannot even give a partial rundown of all the symbolic Christian meanings throughout the movie. I will point out a few highlights:
The name Thomas Anderson give a rendition of a doubting Thomas, as one of the disciples of Christ, or even Christ question his role and actions in the garden. The last name of Anderson in the Greek form means Son of Man.
The reference to the Matrix as not the real truth and reality, living in a world where many are deceived. The idea that we all ultimate have the choice of free will, to choice truth (Christianity) or continue living life as normal, either ether blue pill or the red.
When Neo choose the red pill he goes through a process that can be associated with Baptism into Christianity. He then is followed through a learning stage in his new life. Later he is then faced with temptation and other choices.
Morpheous is taken by the a
gents and tortured to the point of death. Neo goes to save Morpheous and calls him out by telling him to wake up. This could parallel the raising of Lazarus. Another algological figure is Cypher, the Judas figure that turns all of them over the agents for his own benefit.
on to do the same thing as the Nebuchadnezzar. What Neo also finds out is in their goal of freeing other humans that are ready to know the true state of reality that there is also a prophesy. The prophesy tells that there is One that will come and free all those trapped in the Matrix, bringing about a new order. Morpheous believes that Neo is the “One.” As the movie progress, Neo does seem to have something special about him as he can do more superhuman acts in the Matrix than anyone before him.Allegory of the Matrix
Neo has been referred to as metaphorical Jesus figure in this movie. There are numerous symbolic reference that can be associated with Christianity throughout the film. Some have even pointed out that Christianity is not the only religion that this movie could have symbolic references too. Some belief there is Buddhism, Hinduism, Muslim, and Gnosticism.
During our class discussion many found that they did not care for the film or did not see the same symbolic references to a Jesus figure. There is a lot of violence in the film, for many this did not follow the teachings of Jesus. Some of the scientific technologies used where questionable in class discussion. There where some that could see the relevance of using certain scenes in the film for evangelistic use or in some from of Christian context.
Personally this is one of my favorite films, not necessarily as a Jesus film but high on my list. It has many great allegorical moment in the film that I have used for discussion with youth and my own children. For me, every time I see the film there is something new. As in the Bible I find when I read passages and reread them again later I find something new.
In this short blog, I feel I cannot even give a partial rundown of all the symbolic Christian meanings throughout the movie. I will point out a few highlights:
The name Thomas Anderson give a rendition of a doubting Thomas, as one of the disciples of Christ, or even Christ question his role and actions in the garden. The last name of Anderson in the Greek form means Son of Man.
The reference to the Matrix as not the real truth and reality, living in a world where many are deceived. The idea that we all ultimate have the choice of free will, to choice truth (Christianity) or continue living life as normal, either ether blue pill or the red.
When Neo choose the red pill he goes through a process that can be associated with Baptism into Christianity. He then is followed through a learning stage in his new life. Later he is then faced with temptation and other choices.
Morpheous is taken by the a
gents and tortured to the point of death. Neo goes to save Morpheous and calls him out by telling him to wake up. This could parallel the raising of Lazarus. Another algological figure is Cypher, the Judas figure that turns all of them over the agents for his own benefit.Near the end Neo is finally cornered by the agent Smith. He is shot. It has been portrayed in the movie if one dies in the Matrix you are dead in real life, since the mind cannot differentiate from the too, your life ends. As Neo dies in the Matrix his body also dies in the real world. Yet, Trinity believes he is the One of the prophecy and tells him that she also loves him. Seventy-two seconds after Neo dies he comes back to life. Parallel to the three days of Christ’s dead and resurrection. Neo no longer can be beat by the agents but can now destroy them.
Conclusion
This is not an exhaustive list of allegories in the movie The Matrix. Personally I recommend you see it for you self. It may not be one that you care for as many in clas
s did not but you never know. There are many other movies that also give allegorical representation of a Jesus figure. You may even find a new one, since many new movies come out weekly.I have and will continue to use this movie and certain clips as a teaching tool. Hopefully giving new incite for thought in how Jesus is for all people.
Films are entertainment but also can be much more. I hope that in the future you too will find benefits outside of entertainment value. Now go watch a movie and enjoy some popcorn!
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