Sadistic The Matrix Theory Makes The Movie's Villain Twist Way Darker
As if it could be any darker.
A fan theory about the 1999 sci-fi hit The Matrix has been making the rounds on the internet, and it paints the movie's villain, Agent Smith, in an even darker light. Moreover, this theory seems very plausible if you think about it.
The theory centers around a line of dialogue between Cypher and Agent Smith, in which Cypher says, "I don't want to remember anything. And I want to be famous...like an actor or something."
Smith responds by saying, "Whatever you want, Mr. Reagan."
Of course, it might just be a seemingly innocuous reference to former US President Ronald Reagan, who actually was initially an actor and did develop Alzheimer's towards the end of his life.
However, a Reddit theory suggests that Smith is actually being sadistic and granting Cypher's wish to the letter instead of his intent.
The theory, posted in a Reddit thread by a user named VivaSpiderJerusalem, goes that Smith is essentially granting Cypher's wish by transporting him to 1999 as Ronald Reagan, with all of the former president's Alzheimer's-related afflictions intact.
In other words, Cypher is being punished for his betrayal by being trapped in the elderly and suffering body of Ronald Reagan, unable to function or recognize his surroundings.
The theory is a twisted take on Smith's character and adds an even darker layer to the movie's already unsettling themes. But the same Redditor provides a lighter take on the dialogue line, too.
They suggest that the "line about being an actor is a joke for the audience."
"It's sort of funny to watch an actor in a movie say that they want to be somebody "important, you know like an actor, or something," the user explains.
An intricately meta nod to fans, indeed. But having read this chilling Agent Smith theory, frankly all other explanations would fail to match its terrifying gravitas.
While there is no evidence to suggest that this theory is true, it's an intriguing interpretation of the film's subtext.
It yet again proves that even after more than two decades, The Matrix still has something in store to surprise us.