It's finally here! The first trailer for The Matrix Resurrections--the first movie in the franchise since 2003's The Matrix Revolutions--has arrived and it's jam-packed with pretty much everything you lose about the original films, except Laurence Fishburne.
There's a lot to dig through in this trailer, but thankfully we've got the time to sift through all of the little details for you. From returning characters, to new cast members potentially taking over roles previously played by someone else, to even a little déjà vu, there is a lot we need to talk about.
So grab a cup of coffee, sit down and strap in. We're going to take apart this trailer layer by layer and see what we can learn about the new film and what it wants us to remember about the other three movies in the franchise. The Matrix Resurrections is in theaters on December 22.
San Francisco
We learn very quickly that this new film is set in San Francisco--or at least a (virtual?) city that looks a lot like it. Of course, it was already revealed that a portion of the film was shot there, but some of the establishing shots make it clear. Interestingly, right from this first shot, we get a tease of the Matrix with a computerized sound playing over this moment.
Neo's in therapy
Except he's not Neo anymore. Thomas Anderson is sitting with his therapist (Neil Patrick Harris). "I've had dreams that aren't just dreams," he tells the man.
About those dreams
At this point, we see several quick shots with familiar images. Thomas walking down a city street surrounded by Matrix code, a man with Matrix code in his eyes, a shot reminiscent of Trinity's introduction in the first film, a shot of Neo that looks like it's following the events of the last movie, in which Neo is hooked up to machines with burned and scarred eyes. We also get our first look at Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's character, who certainly dresses and acts like a young Morpheus throughout the trailer, as well as Neo--without burned eyes--waking up in the tank of goo the machines keep their human batteries in.
Déjà vu
While all of this is happening, Thomas also sees a black cat walk across his therapist's desks, a clear reference to the moment of déjà vu he experienced in the first film. "Am I crazy?" he asks his therapist.
Follow the white rabbit
The trailer is largely set to the song "White Rabbit" by Jefferson airplane. This particular song is an Easter egg in its own right. Jefferson Airplane is a band that not only formed in San Francisco but played its first gig in a local nightclub called, of all things, Matrix.
Rubber ducky, you're the one
This isn't an Easter egg or anything, but we love that Thomas still bathes with a rubber ducky, even as an adult.
When Neo met Trinity
Whatever has happened between the last film in 2003 and now, these two have essentially been reset within the world of the Matrix and don't seem to know each other. Upon meeting in a coffee shop, though, Trinity asks if they've met. Is this some sort of online dating situation?
Those terrible blue pills
While Neo may have chosen the red pill from Morpheus in the first one, times have changed. He now seems to be on a strict regimen of blue pills. What do they do, though? Are they dulling his mind to keep him from discovering the nature of his reality?
Times sure have changed
Since the original trilogy of films, our relationship with technology has changed. We all carry smartphones and tablets now, with many of us addicted to checking them throughout the day. Oddly enough, the same can't be said for Thomas. Instead, he stares at people glued to their devices in bewilderment.
Goodbye blue pills
Seemingly, the beginning of Thomas's journey back down the rabbit hole begins with deciding to get rid of his blue pills, tossing them down a sink drain.
A new oracle?
This character, played by Priyanka Chopra, certainly looks like the Oracle, a wise character who helped guide Neo on his journey to understanding the Matrix. If Abdul-Mateen II is playing a younger version of Morpheus, somehow, it is certainly possible we'd also see a younger Oracle. Plus, it's worth noting that the character chained actresses in the original trilogy. Gloria Foster played her in the first two films, with Mary Alive taking over for the third.
Old Man Neo
At one point, Thomas looks into a mirror and sees an older version of himself in the reflection. It's good to know that even as he ages, he's not giving up on the John Wick look.
At last, a choice
Abdul-Mateen II's character offers Thomas a simple choice between a red and blue pill--sound familiar? "Time to fly," he tells the man. Thomas, of course, takes the red pill.
The woman with the rabbit tattoo
Thomas meets a woman with a rabbit tattoo who tells him, "If you want the truth, Neo, you're going to have to follow me." She then leads him through a rooftop door into a blinding light. On the other side, they walk out of a liquid mirror where others who clearly know the truth about the Matrix are waiting.
What Neo has been waiting for
We once again hear Abdul-Mateen II's voice, as he tells Thomas, "The only thing that matters to you is still here." At this point, we see Thomas and Trinity holding hands. Interestingly, we see Matrix code appear over Trinity's face, but there's no telling what that means.
"I know it's why you're still fighting, " Abdul-Mateen II tells him. "And why you'll never give up."
Neo's new training
After telling the mysterious character that he knows nothing about them, Thomas blocks a punch thrown by Abdul-Mateen II. In fact, he blocks a second shot and forcefully sends his would-be mentor flying through the walls of the dojo they are in. Neo is once again embracing his powers.
Even more quick shots
From here, we see a series of quick shots of various things, including Thomas and Trinity on a rooftop, the machines, a new ship that definitely is not the Nebuchadnezzar, the woman with the rabbit tattoo running from police as they shoot at her, an Agent taking over the body of a police officer, Thomas with a gun pointed at his head, and more. Most notably is a shot inside of what looks like a nightclub. Someone fires a rocket launcher, which travels through the club, into a door that is a portal to a train, where it explodes. Of course, Thomas, the woman with the rabbit tattoo, and whoever Abdul-Mateen II is playing are on that specific train.
Trinity in the real world
We also see a quick glimpse of Trinity in the real world, her body hooked up to the machines. However, that cuts to several shots of her showing off just how good a fighter she is in the Matrix. She also unleashes a scream that seems to separate her into multiple versions of herself--assumedly making the shriek even more powerful. That's a new power.
Speaking of new powers
In one of the final moments of the three-minute trailer, we see a helicopter fire a missile at Thomas and Trinity as they stand on top of a building. However, using some kind of telekinetic power, Thomas redirects the missile into another helicopter--which looks incredible--before he and Trinity jump off of the building.
Wait, what's Jonathan Groff doing here?
Though there's little explanation for why he's there or who he's playing, Jonathan Groff gets the final shot of the trailer, as his character says, "After all these years, to be going back to where it all started. Back to the Matrix!" Is he just the voice of the fans?
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