25 years of "Matrix" From sci-fi to the new reality?

25 years ago, the sci-fi classic "Matrix" revolutionized cinema. Today, in an era of deepfakes, virtual reality and AI, the influential thriller is more relevant than ever.

The rapid progress in the field of AI can be unsettling. Much of what is reality today seemed like science fiction just a short time ago. The dystopian thriller "Matrix", which was released in German-speaking cinemas on June 17, 1999, focuses on the complex relationship between man and machine. The Wachowskis' visually influential film triggered a cultural phenomenon and remains extremely relevant 25 years later due to its forward-looking plot.

AI takes control

In "Matrix", hacker Neo (Keanu Reeves) discovers that the world he lives in is a simulation created by machines. In fact, he is about 200 years in the future. After a war between humans and AI, the earth is devastated. The AI has developed its own consciousness and taken control. Humans are bred and unsuspectingly kept as slaves, while their body heat is used to generate energy. A computer program - the Matrix - deceives human brains into believing that life in 1999 is normal.

Anyone who recognizes the truth is pursued in virtual reality by agents (including Hugo Weaving). These agents are computer algorithms that protect the Matrix. Nevertheless, some people have managed to escape their existence as slaves and now live in underground cities. A group of rebels, led by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburn) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), believe that Neo is the chosen one who can free humanity and destroy the AI.

"Matrix" plays with human fears

The sci-fi author Philip K. Dick, whose dystopian novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" was made into the film "Blade Runner", expressed the theory as early as 1977 that we humans could live in a computer-generated reality. Dick is regarded as a great role model for directors Lana and Lilly Wachowski (then Larry and Andy Wachowski).

When "Matrix" premiered, the Internet was still relatively new and cell phones were simple. AI was still in its infancy. Nevertheless, the new technological developments were already triggering fears and concerns about where the technology could lead. Much like "Terminator" and "Terminator 2: Day of Reckoning", "Matrix" tapped into these fears. Given the rapid technological progress since then and the current use of AI bots such as ChatGPT in everyday life, the idea no longer seems quite so far-fetched.

Revolutionary visual effects

The action scenes inspired by martial arts films in "Matrix" are legendary. The Oscar-winning visual effects set new standards. The so-called bullet-time effect, in which the camera pans around the fighting characters in slow motion, was particularly revolutionary and style-defining. More than 100 photo and film cameras were positioned around the scene and triggered with a time delay. In the years that followed, many Hollywood films imitated this groundbreaking effect.

The aesthetic of "Matrix" is dark and, in keeping with the green code of the Matrix that flickers across the screens in the film, there is often a dark green filter over the images, making them appear almost monochrome. This dark world is kept in the style of dystopian cyberpunk design. The iconic style of "Matrix" continues to inspire many imitators today.

Costume designer Kym Barrett created an ultra-cool, iconic look for the characters with elegant black leather coats and dark sunglasses, which had a lasting influence on the fashion world. On the 25th anniversary, the fashion magazine "Vogue" commented :"Even today, designers are still presenting leather coats on the catwalk that could appear in any of the "Matrix" films."

Influence far beyond the movies

The influence of "The Matrix" extends far beyond cinema and pop culture. In a pivotal scene, Morpheus explains to Neo that he is trapped in a simulation of the year 1999. Morpheus offers him two pills: "Take the blue pill: the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. Take the red pill: you stay in Wonderland and I'll show you how deep the rabbit hole goes." Nowadays, the term "red pill" has become a metaphor for recognizing unpleasant truths in everyday language and internet memes.

The idea of the Matrix has been a topic in various scientific disciplines, from technology to philosophy and psychology. "Matrix" won four Oscars - for Best Editing, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound and Best Visual Effects - and 25 years after its premiere is considered one of the most important blockbusters of recent decades.

The film was also an enormous commercial success. With a budget of 63 million US dollars, it grossed over 463 million US dollars worldwide. Three sequels followed: "Matrix Reloaded" and "Matrix Revolutions" (both 2003) and "Matrix Resurrections" (2021). However, the first part remains unmatched to this day. A fifth film is already being planned.