Characters In The Matrix Resurrections That Mean More Than You Realize
On one hand, the "Matrix" franchise was built on the strength of its ideas, envisioning a reality where humans are enslaved, needing to be awakened to the harsh reality that self-aware machines are using a simulated reality to assuage, pacify, and essentially milk us as an energy source. On the other hand, just like any good movie, its success rises and falls on the strength of its characters.
Now, with "The Matrix Resurrections" revisiting the franchise for the first time in nearly 20 years, certain characters bring with them an intrinsic strength; who can deny that each and every ticket sold is to someone who wants to see Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) together again? But with other key characters (Morpheus, Agent Smith) drastically changed or missing entirely (the Oracle), it's up to a new crew to pick up the slack.
With that in mind, below is a breakdown of some key characters in "Resurrections." Some of them pay off immediately, others are likely laying the groundwork for more in-depth exploration in sequels. But the one thing they all have in common is that they mean more than you might realize.
Sati (Priyanka Chopra Jonas)
On the surface, this Lewis Carroll-reading character seems to mainly exist to spit out exposition and further deepen the conflict. But, as is briefly mentioned, Sati is actually a computer program, not a human.
Sati first appeared in 2003's "The Matrix Revolutions," and was portrayed by a young actor named Tanveer K. Atwal. Neo met her in a subway-looking realm "between your world and our world," where she was accompanied by her parents, also computer programs. "Every program that is created must have a purpose," her father told Neo at the time. "If it does not, it is deleted."
After a group of Agent Smiths assimilated Sati, Seraph, and ultimately the Oracle, the film ended with Sati creating a sunrise for Neo and the Oracle telling Sati that they would someday see Neo again. That day has clearly come in "Resurrections" as Neo actually meets Sati a couple of times without realizing her significance. While Neo is trapped in the Matrix, Sati is one of his co-workers at the game company, where it seems she's keeping an eye on the former savior of Zion. Near the end of the film, her character becomes a bigger part of the story as she lays out the plan to rescue Trinity as well. Besides her loyalty to Neo, it's implied that she might have a personal stake in the mission, since the audience is told that the evil Analyst purged her parents, and the Oracle is gone as well. Whether or not Sati appears in any possible sequels, it's safe to say that the program has found her purpose.
In "Resurrections," Sati mainly appears near the end of the film, laying out the mission. The audience is told that the evil Analyst (Neil Patrick Harris) purged her parents, and the Oracle is gone as well.
According to Jonas, she got most of her stage direction from Lana Wachowski, but did make it a point to expand on the character's heritage.
"I actually wanted to pay an homage to Sati's Indian culture. That was something that I thought would be really important," she said in an interview on the eve of the film's release. "I think globalization of characters and normalization of cultures is very important, especially in global movies like 'The Matrix.' And that's something that has been very important to Lana, anyway. If you see the diversity in the 'Matrix' movies from the beginning, it's been very, very global. So that was important to me."
Bugs (Jessica Henwick)
On the surface, this character has a lot going on. She introduces herself as "Bugs ... as in, the Bunny." She has a tattoo of a rabbit, wears a t-shirt with a carrot on it, and asks another character "What's up, doc?" So yeah, she's got a theme and she's sticking with it.
Below the surface, Bugs also has a lot going on. Like many of her compatriots, she is a big fan of Neo, Trinity, and their past adventures. She is the one who never gave up hope, who saw Neo inside the simulation and then set out to bring him back to the battle, re-opening the eyes of Thomas Anderson as he chases the proverbial white rabbit. Movement leader Niobe (Jada Pinkett Smith) is not a fan, but Bugs is determined to remain on the front lines and do whatever she can to help return Neo and Trinity to power.
If there is to be a breakout character from "Resurrections" and a new franchise face moving forward, the filmmakers would clearly like it to be Bugs. This is interesting because while she clearly knows enough about the Matrix to essentially re-introduce Neo (and the audience) to it, this "true believer" seems to have a significant journey yet to take.
Lexy (Erendbira Ibarra)
One of Bugs' compatriots, Lexy is introduced to Neo as being the granddaughter of Captain Roland. While there isn't a lot more said about the character, she clearly has a deep connection to the conflict that goes back generations.
Roland was the former captain of the Mjolnir, appearing in "The Matrix Reloaded," "The Matrix Revolutions," and other secondary tales existing across "Matrix" media. He had an established background fighting alongside Niobe, and later succeeded Jason Lock when it was believed he had been killed during the Second Machine War.
Some 60 years later, it can be assumed that Roland has died. It can be similarly assumed that Lexy is determined to carry on her grandfather's mission and get revenge against those who seek to oppress them.
Gwyn de Vere (Christina Ricci)
Inside the Matrix, it's safe to assume that Gwyn de Vere is a big cheese. At the beginning of the film, Thomas Anderson is feeling pressure from his boss to revisit the "Matrix" game series, which causes various people around the office to begin brainstorming ways to make the series relevant (and profitable) again. "We need a new bullet time," one says.
Enter Gwyn de Vere, a powerful Warner Bros. executive (note, WB produces the "Matrix" films in real life). She delivers a determined pitch to bring the franchise back, putting more pressure on Anderson. And then, like that, she's gone.
It sure does seem suspicious that an actor as high-profile as Christina Ricci — who has toplined over a dozen films and series — would show up for such a small part. The character's flamboyant name also seems to indicate that she's much more than just another human lost in the Matrix. If there are sequels, especially now that the Analyst seems to have his power slipping away, don't be surprised if Gwyn de Vere turns out to be a major villain.
The Coffee Shop Guy
This one's a bit of a stretch, but the mustached hipster slinging caffeine at the Simulatte coffee bar is most certainly more than meets the eye. Thomas Anderson likes to duck in there for stimulation as he's writing code, and Trinity (in the guise of Tiffany) also likes to stop in for a pick-me-up during her busy day of chasing the kids around.
Typically, Coffee Shop Guy seems harmless, merely interested in a bit of innocent small talk between pour-overs. But as "Resurrections" progresses, we learn that Thomas Anderson's boss (Jonathan Groff) is actually Agent Smith, that the Simulatte is the chosen spot for a meeting that will shape the future of all reality, and that the CSG might not be as innocent as he presents himself.
The film ends with a major revelation about, of all people, Coffee Shop Guy. If and when more "Matrix" sequels arrive, it seems likely that he'll be serving up his cappuccinos with a considerable kick. Clearly, he has an evil scheme brewing — and it involves something far more nefarious than simply charging extra for soy.
The Merovingian
Of all the returning characters in "The Matrix: Resurrections," arguably the most surprising is the Merovingian. Originally appearing in "The Matrix: Reloaded" as a data trafficker, the Merovingian is implied to be an extremely powerful force within the Matrix, though he preferred to stay slightly more under the radar than the One or the Oracle. In "Resurrections," it seems that the Frenchman has had a rougher time of it than most — instead of the high-end luxury he preferred in "Reloaded" and "Revolutions," the Merovingian in "Resurrections" is dressed in rags and leading a group of other exiles at the seeming behest of Agent Smith. One thing that hasn't changed for the former crime lord? His obnoxious superiority and French accent.