Not every attempt at reboots and remakes manages to hit the bullseye of quality. Some falter, some flop, and some merely exist in the realm of nostalgic sentimentality. The Matrix Resurrections, the fourth instalment in the iconic Matrix series, falls into that category.
The Matrix Resurrections has recently stormed its way onto Netflix’s top ten list of films in the UK. The occurrence seems timely as the franchise turns 25 this year. The Matrix had its theatrical release on March 31st, 1999.
Directed solely by Lana Wachowski, The Matrix Resurrections serves as a testament to her creative vision and sentimental attachment to the franchise. Inspired by personal loss, including the passing of both her parents and a close friend, Wachowski set on a journey to bring back the iconic characters of Neo and Trinity, portrayed by Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss, respectively. For Wachowski, these characters hold profound significance, embodying themes of love, loss, and self-discovery.
The film picks up years after the events of its predecessors, with Neo seemingly living a mundane life, unaware of his true identity. As he grapples with fragments of memories and a sense of déjà vu, Neo’s reality is shattered once again when he encounters Trinity, igniting a chain of events that blur the lines between perception and reality.
While some familiar faces return to The Matrix Resurrections, such as Reeves and Moss reprising their roles, others were notably absent. Notably, Laurence Fishburne, Hugo Weaving, and Lilly Wachowski, Lana’s sister and co-director of the original trilogy, did not return for this instalment. In her own words, Lilly’s decision stemmed from a desire to move forward, to embrace change and transition rather than dwell in the past.
In a conversation with EW, Lilly Wachowski explained her decision, “[Lana] had come up with this idea for another Matrix movie, and we had this talk, and it was actually—we started talking about it in between [our] dad dying and [our] mom dying, which was like five weeks apart,” Lilly went on. “And there was something about the idea of going backward and being a part of something that I had done before that was expressly unappealing.”
Joining the cast are fresh faces breathing new life into the Matrix universe, including Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jonathan Groff, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Jessica Henwick, who bring their own flair to the franchise. While Abdul-Mateen II took on the mantle of a new Morpheus after the death of the version played by Fishburne, Groff played Agent Smith because Weaving had scheduling conflicts.
The decision to keep Fishburne out of the fourth instalment was met with disappointment from fans as well as the actor himself. Nonetheless, he had confirmed to the Vulture, “I have not been invited. Maybe that will make me write another play. I wish them well. I hope it’s great.”
You can watch The Matrix Resurrections on Netflix and catch the trailer here:
