Common Sense Media Review
Intense sci-fi thriller has violence, strong language.
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The Matrix
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 98 parent reviews
Parents say this film is a visually impressive and thought-provoking sci-fi classic that offers a mixture of action and complex themes, suitable for mature teens, although younger viewers may find it confusing or scary. Many reviewers suggest that its R rating is unwarranted and that the violence is mild compared to contemporary PG-13 films, with minimal sexual content and language, making it appropriate for ages 10 and up with some parental guidance.
- classic sci-fi
- suitable for teens
- mild violence
- confusing for kids
- unnecessary R rating
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 453 kid reviews
Kids say this film offers a thrilling sci-fi experience with a compelling plot and impressive action scenes but question its R rating for violence and language, suggesting it is more appropriate for a PG-13 audience. Many find the story a bit complex but ultimately engaging, with several viewers asserting that it should be accessible to older pre-teens and teenagers.
- creative premise
- strong violence
- complex narrative
- age-appropriate
- mixed ratings
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In THE MATRIX, Keanu Reeves stars as Neo, a computer programmer with a sideline as a hacker, who gets mysterious messages that lead him to Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), leader of a ragtag group that lives aboard a rocket-style craft. It turns out that it's not 1999 but about 100 years into the future. All of humanity has been turned into a source of energy to keep machines "alive." The Matrix is a massive computer program that has the humans believing that they are still living in a world that has actually been destroyed. Special agents, led by Smith (Hugo Weaving), seek out Morpheus and his followers to destroy them.
Is It Any Good?
This film is heavy on special effects and brooding paranoia, light on plot, dialogue, character, and even coherence. THE MATRIX challenges what's real and what's part of an elaborate, fake cyber-reality, so it can be confusing for both the audience and the characters in the movie. But it's certainly an ideal pick for the kind of teen who wishes that video games could come to life. Though it's rated R for violence (some pretty gross, including an icky bug that enters the hero's body through his belly button) and language, most teens 14 and up who are begging to see it should be able to handle it without a problem.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the relationship between humans and machines. Why was the first Matrix program, creating the perception of a utopia-like society, unacceptable to the humans?
What do you think of the violence in The Matrix? Is it too much or appropriate to the story?
How well do you think The Matrix deals with the philosophical issues it raises, such as destiny vs. free will and loyalty vs. self-interest?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 31, 1999
- On DVD or streaming : September 21, 1999
- Cast : Carrie-Anne Moss , Keanu Reeves , Laurence Fishburne
- Directors : Lilly Wachowski , Lana Wachowski
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Queer Movie Director(s) , Transgender Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s) , Polynesian/Pacific Islander Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , Fantasy ( Magic ) , Robots , STEM
- Run time : 136 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sci-fi violence and brief language.
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : March 2, 2026
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