Some cisgender viewers (that is, not trans) have wondered why the hackers make such effort to rescue Neo when doing so could spark war. To me, it could not be more natural. Without role models, without help from school or parents or doctors, trans people are often left to care for and awaken each other. We are generous to others struggling with their gender because we remember those who were generous to us. Of course Neo’s crewmates, whom he inspired, risk death to help him rescue his mentor Trinity; of course they are so committed to respecting her choice that they’ll abandon their heist if she refuses.
This is the core of Lana Wachowski’s attempt to reclaim The Matrix from its more conservative fans. The first film was never reducible to a trans allegory alone, and its spirit of violent individualism – as well as its blank male protagonist, who had few distinctive traits beyond his seemingly predestined messiahship – gave ample ammunition to the far-Right, who have since made “the red pill” a metaphor for extremist radicalisation. The Matrix Resurrections picks up the torch of the widely-mocked second and third films, forging a communitarian version of the Matrix myth where (spoiler number one) the heroes win through mutual compassion, only villains use the word “sheeple”, and (spoiler number two) the chosen one is a woman who chose her name.
Long ago, when I still thought I was a cis man, I felt certain that anyone could understand what being trans was like. After all, didn’t I? Once I woke up, however, I had a crisis of faith about whether real cis people would ever get it. The Matrix was a comfort because it showed that trans stories could resonate profoundly with cis audiences.
In Resurrections, Neo and Trinity feel more trans than ever, and eventually we learn that the Matrix itself is powered by their yearning. But their transness never becomes literal, and the system only works because their suffering mirrors that of the whole population. So the film suggests that trans people’s battle for self-knowledge and dignity is just one part of everyone’s battle, and that anyone can benefit from the same solidarity and care. Even if you don’t see your name here, it’s your story too.
The Matrix Resurrections is in cinemas now
