The Matrix Movie Analysis

Do we know what is real? How do we know if our culture, careers, possessions or surroundings are authentic? How would you react if I told you that everything you have ever perceived is simulated? Let me take it one step further, how would you feel if I told you that everything in our world is conditioned to the way the system wants us to see it. I will be exploring the reality of The Matrix and how it may be all too familiar. We see the matrix being reified by the people who live and satisfy the system's needs. They believe the matrix is reality and treat it so while what we know as a simulation of reality. It is also important to note the hegemony in the matrix is fed to the citizens via the superstructure in place. In the case of The Matrix the superstructure functions to keep humans trapped and plugged into the matrix to take advantage of their energy production. We can now clearly see the group in charge and the use of their power over another group through the tools of the superstructure and reification. The Matrix is a science fiction film about abusive hegemonic power through the superstructure and internalized hegemonic thought.

Firstly, we need to develop an understanding of what the matrix is. The matrix is very similar to real life as the same social structures like the law, religion and work environments exist in both. The comfortability people find in the superstructure helps to keep them captive and unaware of the reality of the situation. The citizens feed into the misconception that they think freely when the system they find comfortability in is forming their opinions for them. Only a select few people gather the awareness others will never possess and this includes one of the main protagonists Neo. Neo, like everyone in the society, can’t be completely controlled but in his wiggle room where he has a small amount of free thought he follows a calling which connects him with the infamous counter-hegemonic hero of Morpheus. In their first encounter, Morpheus makes a proposition to Neo, “You take the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe, You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.” (19:23, Wachowski). Hegemony is the idea that the system conditions us through consent and this choice Neo must make is a prime example of this. If he decides to take the blue pill he will consent to live within the parameters of the hegemonic systems in place. On the other hand, the red pill would allow him to venture outside these parameters and explore his curiosity. If Neo hadn’t been contacted by Morpheus then he would be like the rest of the citizens oblivious to the system in which they are slaves. As Neo transitions away from life in the matrix, he is told his new path will not be easy but he will learn the truth of his reality. An element of the matrix which creates obliviousness is comfortability, If the majority are comfortable then it permits a resistance-free society.  Therefore when you live outside the matrix you live without comfort and we see the effects of this in Cypher’s character. Cypher cuts a deal with the agents in exchange for a return to a lavish lifestyle in the matrix, remembering nothing outside of it, Cypher will turn on Morpheus, jeopardizing the existence of Zion. Cypher makes this deal because he understands what reality is and no longer feels committed to Morpheus and his ideas. Cypher during his talk with the agents says “You know, I know this steak doesn't exist. I know that when I put it in my mouth, the Matrix is telling my brain that it is juicy and delicious.” and finishes by saying “Ignorance is bliss”(Wachowski, 1:04:15). From this interaction we learn about the reality of the matrix on another level, the steak cypher consumes isn’t real and it’s only a series of brain waves that give the steak its juiciness and deliciousness. This conversation also reinforces the idea that comfortability keeps the people in the matrix captured by consent. In the scene we see Cypher eating steak. Nothing about this steak is real but in the realm of the matrix it takes on the form it does in the scene. The second part of the quote about ignorance alludes to the idea that if the matrix goes unchallenged then it will run smoothly This is why Morpheus and his group are constantly being hunted by the agents. It is the fact they know the truth about the matrix that scares the agents and causes them to be on the attack. This creates the idea that knowing the truth of the matrix makes you a target of its higher-ups. The reality for the people in the matrix is the matrix, that is all they know. Those few brave ones who choose to live in the discomfort outside the matrix know what reality is, Nothing!

In the matrix, every single person is plugged in and they feed power to the agents, by becoming unplugged from the matrix Morpheus and his group can understand how the matrix affects them. By being plugged into the matrix they are fed information and brain interpretations of the things they think exist. On the ship Morpheus plugs Neo in to show him a simulation of the matrix in which he says “What is real? How do you define 'real'? If you're talking about what you can feel, what you can smell, what you can taste and see, then 'real' is simply electrical signals interpreted by your brain.”(Wachowski, 40:30). This quote makes Neo realize that the reality he once knew is controlled by the agents' hegemony over society. This is why his reaction to being unplugged is so flabbergasted. When people become unplugged they escape the matrix and the restrictions of that reality which can be very scary at first. By plugging back into the matrix while in the ship we observe the hegemony that they have internalized from living in the matrix. By plugging themselves back into the matrix we observe a subconscious want to be back in the comfortability of the matrix. Even though the characters know the matrix isn’t real they create a simulation which mimics it because that is the limit of their imagination or what reality is. In the matrix, we know nothing is real though, when Neo visits the oracle he meets a boy with a spoon. As he bends the spoon to his will with his mind he looks at Neo and says “Don’t try and bend the spoon, that’s impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth, there is no spoon.”(Wachowski,1:11:55). This line is very important for Neo’s understanding of reality in the matrix. He is seeing what appears to be a normal boy at first bending a spoon with his mind in the matrix that he knows shouldn’t be possible. This idea aligns itself with Marxist lit theory in thinking that everything can be seen as not real. For Neo, he must understand what the boy’s message is and apply it to his development to take down the hegemony. We know this quote has a profound effect on Neo as he can be heard repeating it in the elevator whilst attempting to rescue Morpheus. We see his new ability put to use as he dodges more than several bullets shot at him by the agents. The last and best example of this phenomenon happening is at the end of the movie when Neo comes face to face with the agents he is shot and killed. He then becomes fully aware of the separation of reality and the matrix and he stops believing the things around him, causing him to finally kill the agents he's facing.  All in all, we can say that reality as a whole isn’t real and the hegemonic structures in place cause us to have to create parameters that we call reality.

In conclusion, hegemony only works if people continue valuing themselves by their production and do not challenge the systems around them. By believing in a reality beyond the social constructions they can break free of these same limitations. A huge part of the journey to freedom is understanding that nothing is real. Neo slowly gains mental freedom from the simulated society we call the matrix by dismantling the social constructs in his head. As I conclude I want to leave you with this, according to Elon Musk there is a 1 in a billion chance we are NOT trapped in a matrix type simulation.( Clip , 2:30-4:00). So my final question is has Morpheus contacted you yet?