“The Matrix” (1999)

A Movie Review

Submitted to

Ramil H. Agapay

Misamis Institute of Technology

As a Midterm Examination and

Performance Task

Of the subject

INTRODUCTION TO THE

PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN

PERSON

By
Brent Crist Arthur B. Abalo

Grade 11-Aries

February 2025
"Introduction"

Released in 1999 and directed by the Wachowskis, The Matrix is a revolutionary science

fiction film that questions the nature of reality and explores themes of control and

manipulation. The story follows Neo (Keanu Reeves), a computer hacker who discovers that

his world is a simulated reality created by machines to enslave humanity. As he joins a group

of rebels fighting to free human minds, Neo learns to see beyond the illusion and confront the

system that deceives and controls them.

The Matrix masterfully depicts a society trapped in a web of deception, where an advanced

artificial intelligence uses illusion to maintain power. This concept of controlling perception

to dominate individuals draws parallels to modern-day issues like media influence,

surveillance, and digital manipulation. By examining how deception shapes beliefs and

behaviors, *The Matrix* remains a powerful commentary on the importance of questioning

reality, making its message just as relevant today as it was over two decades ago.

"Synopsis"

The Matrix follows Neo, a computer hacker who feels that something about his world isn’t

quite right. He spends his nights searching for answers online, leading him to Morpheus, a

mysterious figure who claims to know the truth. When Neo finally meets Morpheus, he learns

that the world he’s living in is an elaborate illusion created by intelligent machines. This

simulated reality, called the Matrix, keeps humans unaware of the truth while their bodies are

used as energy sources.

them believe they’re living normal lives while they’re actually trapped. By feeding them a

false version of reality, the machines maintain complete power over humanity. Neo joins

Morpheus and his crew, who are fighting to reveal the truth and free people’s minds from this

deception.

The movie cleverly shows how appearances can be deceiving and how controlling

information can shape people’s beliefs. As Neo learns to see beyond the illusion, he faces

difficult choices about what to believe and who to trust, which makes the movie’s message

about questioning reality still relevant today.

"Critical Analysis and Philosophical Ideas"

The Matrix is not just an action-packed science fiction movie; it’s also a deep exploration of

control, deception, and the search for truth. The film portrays a world where people

unknowingly live in a simulated reality, manipulated by machines that control their

perception of life. This concept resonates with me because it makes me question how much

of what we see and believe is shaped by external influences. In today’s world, social media

algorithms, news outlets, and technology constantly shape our views, often without us

realizing it. Just as the Matrix creates a false reality, modern digital platforms can create echo

chambers, influencing how we think and feel.

One powerful example is how social media curates our feeds to show us only what we want

to see, reinforcing our existing beliefs and keeping us comfortable, much like the Matrix
keeps people ignorant of the truth. This makes me think about the importance of questioning

the information I consume and being aware of how easily perceptions can be manipulated.

Similarly, the movie’s idea of choosing the red pill or the blue pill symbolizes the choice

between confronting uncomfortable truths or remaining in comforting ignorance.

Philosophically, The Matrix connects to Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, which we discussed in

class. In the allegory, prisoners are chained in a cave, seeing only shadows on a wall,

believing them to be reality. When one prisoner escapes and sees the world outside, he

realizes the shadows were just illusions. This mirrors Neo’s journey of awakening, as he

learns that his perceived reality is merely a shadow of the truth. The movie teaches us the

importance of questioning what we accept as real and encourages us to seek knowledge

beyond the surface.

In my own life, this lesson reminds me to look beyond social media narratives and explore

different perspectives. Just as Neo had to challenge his beliefs to break free from the Matrix,

we must question our assumptions to see the world more clearly. By applying these

philosophical ideas, I can become more aware of the controls around me and make more

conscious choices, ultimately finding my own version of the truth.

"Conclusion"

The Matrix powerfully explores the ideas of control, deception, and the quest for truth. By

following Neo’s journey to discover the real world hidden behind a simulated illusion, the

movie shows how perception can be manipulated to maintain power. This theme is highly

relevant today, as social media, news outlets, and technology shape how we understand
reality. The film’s connection to Plato’s Allegory of the Cave highlights the importance of

questioning what we see and challenging comfortable illusions.

The story of The Matrix reminds us that accepting things at face value can keep us trapped in

false beliefs. Like Neo, we must be willing to seek the truth, even if it’s uncomfortable. In a

world where information is often filtered and controlled, it’s crucial to think critically and

explore different perspectives. By doing so, we can break free from manipulation and find

our own version of reality. The movie ultimately teaches us that the path to freedom begins

with questioning what we believe to be true.