When I initially went to watch The Matrix, I was really excited because I know it was highly influenced by critical theorist Jean Baudrillard. I had just finished reading Simulacra and Simulation, which examines the growing gap between symbols and what they represent, which presents a number of problems within a social context.

The film helped explicate these ideas well, but I found most salient to compare it to something more along the lines of Anzaldua or Gramsci, who work to build a consciousness that is neglected within conventional society. This is what we see Morpheus doing with Neo; he guides Neo through the confusing and often painful steps of deviating rom what is socialized into him.

This becomes confusing when there are different ideologies that deviate from the hegemony. Taking the rd pill is often used in neo-nazi circles as a metaphor for ‘waking up’ and actualizing reality. But if you look to the left, the same metaphor can be used for the opposite agenda. Both claim to be the ‘true’ reality, like in the Matrix. But I would argue that Baudrillard would instead question whether one can really reach a true reality, or if that even exists.

It was a great time to watch the first Matrix, and I hope to see the next one soon.