Yes, the original Matrix trilogy started out strong before getting too caught up in its own convoluted philosophy. But no lie: the moment I heard the original Matrix theme in this first trailer for The Matrix Resurrections, I got goosebumps.
There’s a lot of familiar territory and imagery on display in this trailer: black cats, blue pills, Alice in Wonderland. A man named Thomas who feels disconnected from the world and is experiencing strange dreams and visions. A lot of this feels like Easter eggs for Matrix fans, especially once the action kicks in. There’s a dojo sequence. Helicopters and rooftop fights. Cool stunts and martial arts choreography. And of course, Agents.
And I’m here for all. Of. It.
The Matrix Resurrections stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss, who reprise their roles as Neo and Trinity. (And according to IMDb, Lambert Wilson and Jada Pinkett Smith have also returned from the original trilogy.) New faces include Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (who looks uncannily like a younger Morpheus), Neil Patrick Harris as Thomas’ therapist, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Jonathan Groff. The Matrix Resurrections is directed by Lana Wachowski (Lilly Wachowski did not return for this film) based on a script by Wachowski, David Mitchell (author of Cloud Atlas and The Bone Clocks), and Aleksandar Hemon.
Story details are still pretty light, though you can rest assured that thousands of geeks are currently breaking down the trailer frame-by-frame to glean any possible clues. Given the Matrix’s cyclical nature, The Matrix Resurrections could a prequel that explores one of Neo’s former incarnations as the One. But given the movie’s title, I’m more inclined to think that the peace that Neo brokered between humanity and the machines at the end of The Matrix Revolutions has somehow broken down, and Neo has been reborn — or resurrected, if you will — to help reforge it.
The Matrix Resurrections will arrive in theaters and on HBO Max on December 22.