The Matrix - Hero's Journey Stages
A basic overview of the Matrix, in relation to the 12 stages of the Hero's Journey as outlined in my training course: Leading To Transformation
0 / 12. Ordinary World
Neo is a hacker by night and corporate programmer 'Thomas Anderson' by day. He is sceptical of the world he lives in and the power that controls it, but he does not really understand what that means. He's searching for something. He thinks he is still largely in control of his own life, working on the black market represents his sense he is 'beating' the system.
1. The Shift
One night he is asleep at his desk and someone hacks his computer, writing, “Wake up, Neo—the Matrix has you.” Then it says, “Follow the white rabbit, knock, knock.” one of his clients is at the door and asks him to come out and party. The girl he is with has a tattoo of a white rabbit, so he agrees. In the nightclub he meets another woman, Trinity, who tells him he's in danger, and that 'they' are watching him.
2. Meeting the Mentor
Neo goes to work the next day and is sitting in his office cubical when a FedEx delivery guy hands his a package. He opens it, and a phone falls into his hand. As soon as it's in his hand, it rings. On the other end of the line is Morpheus. This is their first personal introduction. Morpheus explains there are bad guys in the building looking for him, and to follow his instructions to escape. He gives him directions around the office and leads him into a corner office. There, he instructs him to get out of the window, climb around the corner and use the scaffolding to climb to the roof and safety—or, if that seems too hard, to just wait to get arrested and try his luck with the bad guys.
3. Refusal of Call
Neo does try to do what Morpheus suggested, but in the end his fear wins out, and he goes back into the building and gets arrested. He is taken to an interrogation room, where he first meets 'Agent Smith'.
4. Pressure From Refusal Builds
Agent Smith pulls out a large folder on Neo, explaining he knows all about his criminal activities and offers him a clean slate if he informs on Morpheus. Neo, being a notorious hacker, is not intimidated. He knows his rights and appears confident he will be able to get out of the situation fairly easily. However, Neo's problem is he is assuming he is still in his 'ordinary world' which he is not. The Shift has taken place, but he is yet to realise just what that means for him. He gives Agent Smith the middle finger and explains he knows his rights and asks for his phone call. Agent Smith smirks and replies, “What good is a phone call if you can't open your mouth?” As he says this, Neo feels the skin on his face beginning to cover his mouth completely. He jumps to his feet and struggles desperately to open his mouth, but it is futile, and so the pressure from his resistance builds considerably.
5. Magic From the Mentor
Neo is picked up by Trinity and taken to meet Morpheus in a condemned building. When he walks in, he is introduced to Morpheus and explains that he is honoured to meet him. Morpheus replies, “The honour is all mine.” Here Morpheus explains the situation, the Matrix, and the possibility to escape it. He pulls out two pills, a red one and a blue one, and gives Neo a choice. It is a definite decision that will split time for Neo, stay in resistance and ignorance or dare to progress and see what reality really looks like.
6. Accepting the Call to Adventure
Neo chooses the red pill, and in doing so he accepts the call to adventure. It also signifies he admits that the 'ordinary world' no longer exists, and he is committed to moving forward to discover the new normal. This is the most pivotal moment of his whole journey because, without the commitment to accept the call to adventure, there is no more progress and no more story.
7. Tests, Allies & Agitators
On the other side of his commitment, Neo now begins to understand his New World situation. Who are his allies and who are the agitators? This wasn't important in the Old World but is now critical knowledge to help his chances of success. His relationship with his Mentor (Morpheus) also changes on this side. Previously, Morpheus' role was to lead Neo to the point of commitment. Now his role is to lead Neo to the point of a breakthrough of belief. Primarily, he is now mentoring Neo to believe in the reality of his potential.
8. Trials and 'All Is Lost' Moment
As Neo progresses further on his journey, the stakes get higher, the difficulty gets more intense, and he is tested beyond what he thinks he can handle. At one point, Morpheus is captured. This is an 'All Is Lost' moment for Neo and the group. Without Morpheus, they can't complete their mission, and they all know it. This significant set back forcing Neo to find his courage once more, and attempt an impossible rescue mission.
9. Breakthrough of Belief
In the process of rescuing Morpheus, Neo must confront some Agents. Instead of running, as everyone must do (nobody has ever fought an Agent and survived), Neo turns to fight. Back on the ship, Morpheus and Trinity watch what's happening on their screen. Trinity asks what Neo is doing, and Morpheus replies with a sense of wonder, “He's beginning to believe.” Neo continues to fight the Agents, ending when he is met in a corridor by Agent Smith and shot. He falls, apparently killed. But at this moment Trinity speaks to his true nature, as The One, and Neo fights back to life. He gets up and completes his breakthrough of belief that he is The One.
10. Winning Against the Odds
After Neo has his breakthrough of belief everything changes. The rules of the Matrix no longer apply to him, he knows how to bend and break them, and he steps into his full potential. The Agents see him stand back up and turn to him, shooting dozens at bullets at him. Neo holds his hand out and with a sense of absolute conviction, calmly says, “No.” The bullets slow down and come to a halt, then drop to the ground. The Agents, for the first time, feel that the odds are no longer in their favour, and run. Agent Smith remains to fight, but Neo does not merely fight him, he enters into him and destroys him from the inside out.
Claiming Victory
Neo has now overcome the Agents, understood and showcased his mastery over the Matrix, and no longer captive to its power. He picks up a phone and talks directly to the Matrix, explains that he has won and that the world will now change because of this victory. He then looks heavenwards and flies away like Superman, showcasing again his newfound normal that no longer resembles the Old World he started in. This full-circle completes Neo's hero journey of Transformation.
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