New Matrix Resurrections trailer revives the past to deliver a new puzzling future

The official poster for The Matrix Resurrections movie
(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

The Matrix Resurrections has received a new trailer ahead of its release later this month – and it looks absolutely stunning, even though it leaves us with more questions than answers.

In celebration of 'Matrix Monday', the day that theater tickers officially go on sale – although the fourth film in the franchise will also come to HBO Max – Warner Bros. released a brand new look at its final film release of 2021.

Suffice to say, The Matrix Resurrections looks like it'll be the nostalgia-inducing, ground breaking film that its cast and crew, as well as diehard fans, are hoping that it'll be. Consider us intrigued, Mr. Anderson and company.

Check out The Matrix Resurrections' newest trailer below:

So what does the film's latest trailer show? We get a better look at the gravity-defying, superhero-esque action that the movie series is renowned for, plenty of quick cuts between various sequences, and a bit more explanation about what the sci-fi film's plot will actually entail.

And when we say 'a bit', we only mean 'a bit'. There's plenty that is teased – for one, it looks like Jonathan Groff's character is the reincarnated form of Agent Smith, who was portrayed by Hugo Weaving in the original trilogy. 

There are also numerous shots that showcase the meta nature of The Matrix Resurrections, too, with plenty of call-backs to the other three films. Reimagined and like-for-like shots, such as Trinity leaving Neo in a coffee shop, Groff's character giving a carbon copy speech that Agent Smith previously gave, and Neo deciding whether to take the red or blue pill, reveal how The Matrix Resurrections will revisit its past.

But there's a lot here that looks new, too. We see more of the film's new cast members in action, such as Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's Morpheus and Priyanka Chopra Jonas's Sati, a new aesthetic to the world of the Matrix (which we glimpsed in the movie's first trailer), and potentially new powers for Neo and Trinity.

As Jessica Henwick's Bugs puts it: "Maybe this isn't the story that we think it is". Here's hoping she's right – i.e. that The Matrix Resurrections' trailers are simply a bait-and-switch, and that its true revelations will come to light when the film lands very soon.

Directed by Lana Wachowski and starring Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jonathan Groff, Jada Pinkett Smith and Neil Patrick Harris, The Matrix Resurrections will simultaneously launch in theaters and on HBO Max on Wednesday, December 22.

Senior Entertainment Reporter

As TechRadar's senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You'll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.

An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as this Moon Knight TV spot.

Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across. Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.

Read more
Rachel Zegler's Snow White holding up her right hand in her self-titled live-action movie adaptation
New movies: the most exciting films coming to theaters in March and beyond
A T-Rex roaring in some vegetation in Jurassic World Rebirth
First trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth teases strong ties to Jurassic Park, and I can't help but wonder if another trip to Isla Nublar is on the cards
Peter Parker swings through New York wearing his Future Foundation suit in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
6 big entertainment stories you missed over the 2024 holiday season: The Batman Part 2 delayed again, The Night Agent season 2 trailer, and more
A screenshot of David Corenswet's Man of Steel suiting up in a Metropolis apartment while a pink lazer is fired in the background in 2025's Superman film
James Gunn's Superman movie: release date, trailer, confirmed cast, plot synopsis, and more news about the DC Comics film
Anthony Mackie as Will in Elevation.
Elevation is Max's #1 movie - here are 3 more sci-fi thrillers with over 80% on Rotten Tomatoes to watch next
A close up of Hugh Grant's Mister Reed in Heretic
5 new Max movies with over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes
Latest in Entertainment
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin Rennovations
Disney’s giving a classic Buzz Lightyear ride a tech overhaul – here's everything you need to know
Robert Downey Jr reveals himself as Doctor Doom to a delighted crowd at San Diego Comic-Con 2024
Marvel has revealed the full, 27-strong cast for Avengers: Doomsday, and there are plenty of heroes who seemingly won't be part of its roster
Robert Downey Jr sitting in a chair and holding a finger to his lips during Marvel's Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal
'There is always room for more': Marvel drops big hint that it isn't done with its Avengers: Doomsday cast announcements
A collage of Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch and Tatiana Maslany's She-Hulk
Marvel fans are already tired of Doomsday and Secret Wars cast gossip as two more superheroes get linked with roles in the next two Avengers movies
Venezuela's forward #09 Jhonder Cadiz celebrates after scoring during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Ecuador and Venezuela, at the Rodrigo Paz Delgado stadium in Quito, on March 21, 2025 ahead of Venezuela vs Peru
Venezuela vs Peru live stream: how to watch today's FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier anywhere online
The cast of Alone Australia season 3, standing in a knee-high body of water
How to watch Alone Australia season 3 online – stream the survival show from anywhere
Latest in News
Three angles of the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M4 laptop above a desk
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) review roundup – should you buy Apple's new lightweight laptop?
Witchbrook
Witchbrook, the life-sim I've been waiting years for, finally has a release window and it's sooner than you think
Shigeru Miyamoto presents Nintendo Today app
Nintendo Today smartphone app is out now on iOS and Android devices – and here's what it does
Nintendo Virtual Game Card
Nintendo reveals the new Virtual Game Card feature, an easier way to manage your digital Switch games
Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date has seemingly been confirmed by Best Buy Canada – here's when you'll be able to order yours
Person printing
Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 update exorcises possessed printers that spewed out pages of random characters