The Matrix (1999)

Sometimes, science fiction movies can help us to ‘see’ more clearly what will happen to humanity, if it doesn’t wake up. The Matrix is one of those films that definitely was a wake-up call to me.

In the early 21st century, a war broke out between humanity and intelligent machines. After humans blocked the machines’ access to solar energy, the machines responded by enslaving humankind and harvesting their bioelectric power while keeping their minds pacified in the Matrix, a shared simulated reality modeled on the world as it was in 1999. In the years following, the remaining free humans took refuge in the underground city of Zion.

Wikipedia

That paragraph is all you probably need to know, to understand the gravity of what we here on earth are facing. With climate change, planet Earth is going through a particularly painful process, well, painful for us, since the change in weather patterns has upset our peaceful coexistence in this world. (Sometimes, I use irony to speak my mind. In this case, we had been warned this could happen, but chose to put profits before people. Now we’re reaping the whirlwind.)

Morpheus: interesting name, meaning ‘the son of Somnus (god of sleep), the god of dreams and, in later writings, also god of sleep.’ Think ‘morphine’ and you’ll get the picture. Morpheus’ job was to wake people up from their sleep, so that they could join the rebellion against the Machines. Otherwise they will stay imprisoned in their cocoons.

Trinity, likewise has an interesting name: she represents the three parts of our spiritual heritage, but here in a bad, kick-ass form. Her role was to fall in love with the human, formerly known as Thomas Anderson, now known as “Neo”, the One.

Cypher: Mr. Nobody, the man who chooses to betray Morpheus, and the whole rebellion, in order to enjoy the trappings of wealth. Obviously based on Judas Iscariot, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

Agent Smith: has it occurred to you that all Agents are actually Angels in disguise (otherwise known as Demons). Watching the film last night, I wondered how I could have missed such an obvious connection. They do the Machine’s bidding, without question. It seems that only Agent Smith wants to leave the Matrix, since its stench is so abhorrent to his sensibilities. He is no match for Neo.

And, finally, Neo: the One true messiah to lead his people from the darkness into the Light which is beginning to dawn on the whole world. Christ-like might be too good a word for what his role is in the story, but, if truth be told, everyone is waiting for a Superman-styled individual to save us from ourselves. But, as his birth name suggests, he is everyman, and that’s where the truth is hidden within.

Amen.