The Matrix does a phenomenal job of telling a coherent, self contained story, while at the same time building a world where many questions are yet to be answered. It is in the brilliance of its world building that The Matrix sequels are allowed to exist without deteriorating from the original’s narrative cohesiveness. I will avoid speaking of the unfinished main plot (neo liberating mankind) as the reason why there must be sequels, because its obviousness needs little support.
The larger part of what we see in the movie happens inside of the matrix, a world mostly the same as the one we live in today. We learn very early on though, that because this world is a simulation, it is possible to break or bend the fundamental laws that rule its mundanity. This is the way in which the movie explains the incredible feats of strength and speed that the protagonists and antagonist perform. Throughout the film we see characters jump incredible lengths, fight at amazing speeds and suffer ridiculous amounts of damage. What allows the possibility of sequels in The Matrix universe is that at the end of the film we learn this is only the beginning of what the characters are able to do. Once Neo accepts that he is the One he is able to stop bullets mid air, fuse himself with others to destroy them from within, and even fly. How far does Neo’s power extend? We are left with this question at the end of the film, and with more of the main plot to explore, The Matrix becomes a sandbox of marvelous, unrestricted spectacle. How could you not ask for more?
Spending most of our time inside the matrix means there is a whole different world to explore outside of it. Morpheus explains to Neo that they live in a dystopic future where, after singularity, machines have overthrown mankind and now use them to farm energy. We are shown glimpses of the ruined city, scorched sky, and the human farmland. Tank later tell Neo that there still exists a human city buried deep underground called Zion. He talks of a revolutionary group, other hover ships with other captains, and the resilience of mankind. Yet, our characters are never outside of Morpheus’ ship. We want to explore the dystopia that gives birth to the matrix because it is described to us richly, yet seldomly. The movie relies on this enigmatic setting to explain its present, and in doing so, it builds a world its audience craves to know. How is the city of Zion going to react to the one, how will machines react too? These questions aren’t explicitly asked during the movie, but they give the audience something to imagine as they wait for a sequel.
Add to this the mysterious mythological existence of the oracle, agent smith’s obvious separation from the rest of the machines and his goal to exit the matrix, and a largely unexplored romance between Trinity and Neo, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for sequels with no need of cliffhanger endings.
Media Design and Criticism 