Keanu Reeves starred in one of the most important films of the 21st Century The Matrix. The sci-fi film redefined pop culture and brought in several elements of philosophy into the mainstream. Reeves’ role as Neo became a staple in pop culture and remains one of his most popular characters to date.
Other elements from the film have also far outlived the franchise itself. Terms such as ‘red pill’, ‘the matrix’, and ‘free the mind’ have entered the general conversation as well as in political agendas. Reeves was reportedly not too happy with the way they were used in the present day.
Keanu Reeves Expresses Discomfort In The Matrix Being Used In Politics
The Wachowskis’ The Matrix films have long been analyzed and broken down due to the insane depth of storytelling and hints they left in the films. The film explores multiple philosophies, from Jean Baudrillard to the Gita through the lens of an apocalypse and a simulated reality.
Every fan remembers the popular scene of Morpheus, played by Laurence Fishburne, offering the red pill and the blue pill to Keanu Reeves’ Neo in the film. The legendary character offers him the chance to either remain in his simulated reality and continue an ignored existence or to wake up from forced slumber and join the revolution.
The red pill has often been used in general conversation as a representation of truth and has recently been increasingly used in the ‘manosphere’ and in conversations regarding men’s rights (via The Week). When asked about his opinion on the increasing usage of the term in politics, Keanu Reeves appeared to be pained and said (via The Guardian),
It doesn’t sound that great to me. But I don’t know. It’s art, right? So I don’t know. I mean, it’s like … yeah. I guess people … yeah. Take it and run with it.
The actor, who is currently collaborating with writer China Miéville who is known for his political activism, also mentioned that he avoided political conversations.
How Has The Matrix Terminology Entered Politics And General Conversations?
The Keanu Reeves starrer The Matrix was released in 1999, a year before the infamous Y2K conspiracy theory, and opened in a new millennium where technological fears were far more apparent due to their increased usage. The notion of the world being put in a simulated reality to be used as a power source was an interesting way of thinking.
However, Morpheus’ popular analogy of the red pill has since changed meaning and has been reportedly adopted by several groups The red pill metaphor has reportedly been used increasingly in the manosphere (via Medium). It has also had various iterations, with a prominent incel group reportedly using terms like black pill, red pill, and white pill.
The term ‘red-pilled’ has gained the connotation of being exposed to the truth (just like in the movies). The term in this context was also reportedly used by Elon Musk and Ivanka Trump (via The Guardian). People involved in The Matrix have expressed their disregard, including director Lily Wachowksi and actor Hugo Weaving (via The Daily Beast).
The Matrix is available to stream on Apple TV.
