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8.7
Warner Bros. Pictures Acclaimed

The Matrix

The Matrix · The Matrix Collection

1999 136 min R
Critic8.7
Action Sci-Fi
Max Prime Video Apple TV FindEdition
Trailer Where to Watch

Overview

Thomas A. Anderson is a computer programmer by day and hacker Neo by night. When he is contacted by Morpheus, a legendary rebel branded a terrorist, Neo learns the shocking truth: reality as he knows it is a simulated construct called the Matrix — and humanity is enslaved by machines.
Story 8.8
Acting 8.5
Direction 9.2
Cinematography 9.0
Music 8.8
Pacing 8.7
Originality 9.5
Emotional Impact 8.4
Overall 8.7

Editorial Review

By FindEdition Film Desk

8.7 /10

Revolutionary action

Bullet time, the lobby assault, and the rooftop helicopter sequence set a new standard for action choreography that Hollywood still chases decades later.

Philosophy meets spectacle

The Wachowskis weave Plato, Baudrillard, and cyberpunk into a blockbuster accessible enough to become a cultural phenomenon — red pill vs. blue pill entered the lexicon.

Iconic performances

Reeves' stoic Neo, Fishburne's prophetic Morpheus, Moss's fierce Trinity, and Weaving's chilling Agent Smith created archetypes that define the genre.

Pros

  • Groundbreaking bullet time VFX
  • Iconic cast and characters
  • Philosophical depth beneath spectacle
  • Revolutionary martial arts choreography
  • Unforgettable soundtrack

Cons

  • Dense exposition in third act
  • Some dated CGI in places
  • Sequel expectations overshadow standalone story for new viewers
Verdict A genre-defining masterpiece — philosophy, wire-fu, and bullet time fused into the most influential sci-fi action film since Blade Runner.

AI Review

Cyberpunk gospel — Plato's cave as Hong Kong wire-fu blockbuster, with bullet time that rewired action cinema forever.

A genre-defining masterpiece — philosophy, wire-fu, and bullet time fused into the most influential sci-fi action film since Blade Runner.

Watch before any sequel. The lobby scene and rooftop helicopter sequence are best on a large screen.

Awards

Academy Awards

Best Film Editing · Won

Academy Awards

Best Visual Effects · Won

Academy Awards

Best Sound · Won

Academy Awards

Best Sound Effects Editing · Won

Academy Awards

Best Cinematography · Nominated

Academy Awards

Best Picture · Nominated

BAFTA

Best Special Visual Effects · Won

BAFTA

Best Sound · Won

BAFTA

Best Editing · Nominated

Saturn Awards

Best Science Fiction Film · Won

Saturn Awards

Best Director · Won

Saturn Awards

Best Writer · Won

MTV Movie Awards

Best Movie · Won

MTV Movie Awards

Best Fight · Won

Timeline

Release Date
Theatrical Date
Digital Date
Physical Date
Premiere
Festival
Status
Development

The Wachowskis pitched the script to Warner Bros. after their debut Bound (1996). Studio initially hesitated at the $60M+ budget for an unproven concept.

Pre-production

Cast underwent four months of martial arts and wire-work training. Yuen Woo-ping imported Hong Kong action techniques to Hollywood.

Principal photography

March–August 1998 in Sydney, Australia. Fox Studios housed the Nebuchadnezzar set and much of the Matrix interior work.

Visual effects

Manex Visual Effects and Animal Logic developed bullet time and digital rain code effects. Budget grew from $60M to $63M.

Release

Premiered March 24, 1999. Wide release March 31. Became the first DVD to sell one million copies. 25th anniversary IMAX re-release September 2024.

Academy Awards

Best Film Editing Won

Academy Awards

Best Visual Effects Won

Academy Awards

Best Sound Won

Academy Awards

Best Sound Effects Editing Won

Academy Awards

Best Cinematography Nominated

Academy Awards

Best Picture Nominated

BAFTA

Best Special Visual Effects Won

BAFTA

Best Sound Won

BAFTA

Best Editing Nominated

Saturn Awards

Best Science Fiction Film Won

Saturn Awards

Best Director Won

Saturn Awards

Best Writer Won

MTV Movie Awards

Best Movie Won

MTV Movie Awards

Best Fight Won

Production

Development

The Wachowskis pitched the script to Warner Bros. after their debut Bound (1996). Studio initially hesitated at the $60M+ budget for an unproven concept.

Pre-production

Cast underwent four months of martial arts and wire-work training. Yuen Woo-ping imported Hong Kong action techniques to Hollywood.

Principal photography

March–August 1998 in Sydney, Australia. Fox Studios housed the Nebuchadnezzar set and much of the Matrix interior work.

Visual effects

Manex Visual Effects and Animal Logic developed bullet time and digital rain code effects. Budget grew from $60M to $63M.

Release

Premiered March 24, 1999. Wide release March 31. Became the first DVD to sell one million copies. 25th anniversary IMAX re-release September 2024.

Streaming

Max Prime Video Apple TV FindEdition

Cast

Keanu Reeves Thomas Anderson / Neo
Laurence Fishburne Morpheus
Carrie-Anne Moss Trinity
Hugo Weaving Agent Smith
Joe Pantoliano Cypher
Gloria Foster The Oracle
Marcus Chong Tank
Julian Arahanga Apoc
Belinda McClory Switch
Anthony Ray Parker Dozer
Matt Doran Mouse
Robert Taylor Agent Jones
Paul Goddard Agent Brown

Characters

Thomas Anderson / Neo Keanu Reeves
Morpheus Laurence Fishburne
Trinity Carrie-Anne Moss
Agent Smith Hugo Weaving
Cypher Joe Pantoliano
The Oracle Gloria Foster
Tank Marcus Chong
Apoc Julian Arahanga
Switch Belinda McClory
Dozer Anthony Ray Parker
Mouse Matt Doran
Agent Jones Robert Taylor
Agent Brown Paul Goddard

Crew

Lana Wachowski Director
Lilly Wachowski Director
Lana Wachowski Screenwriter
Lilly Wachowski Screenwriter
Joel Silver Producer
Don Davis Composer
Bill Pope Cinematographer
Zach Staenberg Editor
Owen Paterson Production Designer
John Gaeta Visual Effects Supervisor
Yuen Woo-ping Martial Arts Choreographer

Videos

Official Trailer

Soundtrack

  1. Clubbed to Death (Kurayamino Mix) — Rob Dougan
  2. Wake Up — Rage Against the Machine
  3. Spybreak! (Short One) — The Propellerheads
  4. Dissolved Girl — Massive Attack
  5. Dragula (Hot Rod Herman Mix) — Rob Zombie
  6. Mindfields — The Prodigy
  7. Main Title / Trinity Infinity — Don Davis
  8. Exit Mr. Hat — Don Davis

Trivia

  • The 'bullet time' effect used up to 120 still cameras firing in sequence around Keanu Reeves — revolutionizing action cinema and winning the Oscar for Best Visual Effects.
  • The entire cast trained in martial arts for four months under Yuen Woo-ping before a single frame was shot.
  • Matrix scenes were tinted green and the real world blue — a visual shorthand for simulation vs. reality.
  • Filmed entirely in Sydney, Australia to reduce costs — the iconic lobby is the Sydney Westin hotel.
  • Will Smith turned down the role of Neo; Nicolas Cage and Brad Pitt were also considered.
  • The film's philosophical themes draw on Plato's Allegory of the Cave, Jean Baudrillard's Simulacra and Simulation, and cyberpunk literature.
  • 25th anniversary IMAX re-release in September 2024 grossed over $9 million domestically.

Quotes

"Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself."

"I know kung fu."

"There is no spoon."

"What is real? How do you define real?"

"Welcome to the real world."

"I can only show you the door. You're the one that has to walk through it."

"There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path."

"Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet. You are a plague, and we are the cure."

Goofs

  • During the lobby shootout, glass debris from broken pillars disappears between shots as Neo and Trinity advance.
  • Cypher's Matrix disconnect is visible on the Nebuchadnezzar monitor before he actually takes the red pill to re-enter — a deliberate ambiguity some viewers read as a continuity error.

Community

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Collections

Part of The Matrix Collection

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Universe

The Matrix Cinematic Universe

Explore universe →

Franchise

The Matrix

First film in The Matrix franchise — followed by Reloaded, Revolutions (2003), and Resurrections (2021).

Browse franchise →

Recommendations & Alternatives

For higher ratings, consider The Dark Knight (9.0/10). A similarly themed alternative is Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Higher Rated

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AI Recommendation Insight

Cyberpunk gospel — Plato's cave as Hong Kong wire-fu blockbuster, with bullet time that rewired action cinema forever. Similar picks: Highly Rated Action