The Matrix and Neo's Messiah Figure: A Detailed Analysis

This essay delves into the thematic elements of freedom and destiny within the context of the film "The Matrix," with a specific focus on the character of Neo as a messianic figure. It examines the central question of whether freedom is attainable, exploring arguments presented both for and against its possibility through the film's narrative. The analysis references the Wachowskis' exploration of this theme, the Oracle's role, and Neo's concluding monologue. The essay further explores the Christ figure theme within the movie, examining Neo's journey, actions, dialogues, and visual symbols. It emphasizes how the messianic parallels are integral to the plot, particularly in the context of the trilogy, and how it is structured in a way that mirrors the New Testament. The paper also discusses the details of Neo's character, including his given name and how it relates to his role as the One.

Running Head: THEME OF THE MATRIX AND NEO AS A MESSIAH FIGURE
Theme of The Matrix and Neo as a Messiah figure
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1THEME OF THE MATRIX AND NEO AS A MESSIAH FIGURE
Theme of Freedom
"Theme" is presumably one of the most misjudged words utilized in screenwriting. In
truth, "subject" can mean a few things. We won't attempt to cover each utilization of "topic"
here, however we will concentrate on one definition: "a subject or question investigated from
various perspectives (Veenhoven, 2014)." Along these lines, one method for making a topic
is to (1) acquaint a theme or question with be investigated; (2) investigate it from various
points; and (3) in the event that you wish, arrive at a resolution about what view is the
predominant one. The subject can be investigated through the eyes of one character, or
through the eyes of many. In the movie "The Matrix," the subject is opportunity. The inquiry
posed by the essayists, Larry and Andy Wachowski, is: "Is opportunity conceivable?
(Veenhoven, 2014)."
On one side of the argument, a contention is made over and again that opportunity is
unimaginable. The Matrix, all things considered, is the vanishing of all opportunity (Freeman,
2014). As Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) says when describing to Neo (Keanu Reeves) the
historical backdrop of the earth. The Oracle (Gloria Foster), despite the fact that attempting to
free humanity, really doesn't trust in opportunity. She predicts individuals' destinies, and
destiny, all things considered, is something contrary to opportunity. In spite of the fact that
her exchange is diverse in the content than it is in the film, in both, she conclusively reveals
to Neo that he can't "One" (Freeman, 2014).
Obviously, totally negating this, the Oracle tells Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) that she
will go gaga for the One, and Trinity in certainty falls in adoration with Neo (Freeman,
2014). This expectation working out as expected is another "evidence" that destiny is
genuine, and thusly opportunity isn't.

2THEME OF THE MATRIX AND NEO AS A MESSIAH FIGURE
So the essayists are unquestionably playing with our heads. Also, to tell us this, they
even have the Oracle bother Neo. She cautions him about a jar, and after he thumps it over,
she grins and reveals to him that he'll be bound to ponder whether he tipped it since he was
destined to do as such, as she anticipated, or on the off chance that he is a free being
nevertheless her expectation concentrated on the mishap and hence incited it. The film closes
with a monologue by Neo which isn't in the April 8, 1996 content, however which repeats the
essayists' last message, routed to the insight behind the Matrix (Freeman, 2014). In Neo's
words, "I know you’re out there. I can feel you now. I know that you’re afraid. You’re afraid
of us. You’re afraid of change. I don’t know the future. I didn’t come here to tell you how
this going to end. I came here to tell you how it’s going to begin. I’m going to hang up this
phone, and I’m going to show these people what you don’t want them to see. I’m going to
show them a world without you. A world without rules and controls, without borders or
boundaries. A world where anything is possible." (Freeman, 2014).
Neo as a Messiah figure
The Matrix is definitely not the first movie to use the figure of Christ for enriching the
plot with the help of abundant references in the form of actions, dialogues, and various visual
symbols. In spite of the fact that the messianic similitudes add significance to the story, they
are not typically a fundamental piece of the plot (Stucky, 2016). As a rule, the illustrations
hypothetically contained the possibility of being removed from the film as well as the plot-
hence, albeit would be reduced and then work in some way or another. In The Matrix set of
three, be that as it may, the Christ figure theme goes past shallow plot upgrades. It frames the
essential centre of the story. The messianic development noticed in Neo (mindfulness as well
as force) along with the possibility of bringing in not only harmony, but also salvation for the

3THEME OF THE MATRIX AND NEO AS A MESSIAH FIGURE
humankind structure the very basic plot for all the three movies (Stucky, 2016). All the three
demonstrations of the set of three even generally equal the New Testament assortment:
(a) The Matrix is known to be the Gospel of Neo, process of transition witnessed in the
saviour of the postmodern world, the instance of his passing, and finally the process of
revival.
(b) The Matrix Reloaded maybe relates to the Acts that are directly linked to the new saviour
what's more, his followers, chronicling the following phase of the historic battle with the
machines.
(c) The Matrix Revolutions finishes up the entire set of three with that of the Apocalypse as
indicated by figure of St. Neo. In this phase, the apocalyptic fight between mankind and the
machines, Neo parts of the bargains brings the last acknowledgment of the messianic time of
harmony among humankind and machines. Hence, here without any of the messianic
symbolism, in any case, there could the possible existence an anecdote regarding the war of
the humans in the Matrix. Obviously, however the possibility of it would be profoundly
unexpected narrative in comparison to what was introduced in the movie (Stucky, 2016).
In The Matrix, individual beings who belong to the underground world- Zion, are
made free from the control of the machines; however they continue to thrive in what is called
a state of banishment from the world's surface (Punt, 2004). It was the Wachowski siblings'
relentless regard for subtleties, including names, it ought not to be made look like a fortuitous
event that, in the Bible, Mark 3:11 depicts the manner in which individuals come under the
control of abhorrent spirits but eventually bow before Jesus by stating, "You are the Son of
God." (Milford, 2010). In an indirect manner, the boat too makes the announcement stating
Neo as the One. The plot also under overs the given name of Neo – Thomas A. Anderson. It
was Thomas who was celebrated in the name of the questioning devotee; he did not have

4THEME OF THE MATRIX AND NEO AS A MESSIAH FIGURE
confidence in the restoration of Jesus unless he himself could feel the wounds of the nails on
his body (Byrne, 2005). Anderson begins as someone who is an extremely hesitant individual
from Morpheus' team, and his questions about his supposed way of life in the form of the
One who proceeds almost to the film’s end. "Anderson" has deciphered its roots in the Greek
as the term is supported by Jesus to depict his own self (Byrne, 2005). Be that as it may,
"Neo" is a re-arrangement of the word "One"; hence, when Thomas Anderson asserts the
name Neo transforms into a “new man."

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Reference
Byrne, D. (2005). The Messiah versus Collective Consciousness in the Matrix
Trilogy. English Studies in Africa, 48(2), 61-74.
Freeman, D. (2014). The Use of a Theme in “The Matrix”. David Freeman. Retrieved 2 April
2020, from https://beyondstructure.com/the-use-of-a-theme-in-the-matrix/.
Milford, M. (2010). Neo-Christ: Jesus, the matrix, and secondary allegory as a rhetorical
form. Southern Communication Journal, 75(1), 17-34.
Punt, J. (2004). Biblical allusion in The Matrix: Messiah and violence. Journal of Theology
for Southern Africa, (119), 90.
Stucky, M. D. (2016). He is the One: The Matrix Trilogy's Postmodern Movie
Messiah. Journal of Religion & Film, 9(2), 7.
Veenhoven, R. (2014). Freedom and quality of life.