Matrix and Zardoz: crossroads of a cibercultural environment

Abstract

This article is a comparative analysis between the Matrix movie trilogy and other films that addressed the issue of parallel virtual worlds and the use of technology within the universe of cyberspace. The existence of mythological elements – the same base of religious imagery in The Matrix – can be seen in movies of the 70’s, as Zardoz (in 1974) and Westword (1973), the 80’s, as Tron (1982) and Videodrome (1984), and in the 90’s, as Dark City (1998). All of these movies question the immersion in the virtual world and technology as a motive to change the patterns of human existence and the close relationship between men and machines.