Keanu Reeves might have broken into the industry through “Bill and Ted,” and was an established ‘90s action actor thanks to films like “Speed” and “Point Break.” But his iconic role as Neo in “The Matrix” truly catapulted him into stardom.
For many, “The Matrix” was both a thrilling cinematic escape and a powerful spiritual experience—exploring what it means to be human in the digital age, all while kicking ass in cool leather trench coats. And Reeves was the hero that took us on that journey.
Of course, he would go on to be the center of another legendary franchise with “John Wick” and would become a legend off-camera as a genuinely compassionate and generous person. But to think—we might have not had any of it had Reeves never taken that red pill.
It turns out that not even Reeves himself takes that moment in his life for granted.
During a recent interview with Stephen Colbert on “The Late Show,” the host mentioned several of Reeves’ movies that were celebrating an anniversary this year — “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” 35; “Point Break,” 33; “Speed,” 30; “The Matrix,” 25; and “John Wick,” 10.
Colbert then asked Reeves to name a fond memory from each of these iconic movies in a lightning-round style. Reeves was able to get out simple answers like “friendship” for “Bill and Ted” and “the genius of Catherine Bigelow” for “Point Break,” but when he got to “The Matrix,” there was a palpable, emotional pause.
After about twenty seconds, Reeves replied, “’The Matrix’ changed my life. And then, over these years, it’s changed so many other people’s lives in really positive and great ways.”
Gathering himself, he concluded, “As an artist, you hope for that when you get to do a film or tell a story…it’s the best.”
It was so well said that Colbert didn’t bother trying to get a memory for “John Wick” but instead shook his hand and ended the segment.
Watch:
“The Matrix” Changed My Life – Keanu Reeves Shares Fond Memories Of His Most Iconic Films
Down in the comments, people were once again moved by Reeves’ heartfelt authenticity.
“Keanu’s response to the Matrix question was so profound.”
“That really got me. So moving. As for the movie itself, to this day, The Matrix is still the most mind-blowing experience I’ve ever had in a theatre!”
“The answer, his face, his body language, how he changed his emotion so fast just gave me chills and I cried. He knows the truth.”
“What a real dude. There’s a reason everyone loves him.”
“Do we all simply want to burst into tears when he emotionally recounts how The Matrix has touched people?”
“To this day, The Matrix remains my favorite movie of all time. Full stop. It’s amazing to see him get so emotional when he talks about it.”
“He almost made me cry, that was a raw emotional sincere comment he made – just beautiful.”
“The Academy Awards will honor Keanu Reeves one day with a lifetime achievement award. No doubt. The Matrix is the best sci-fi movie ever made and Keanu was brilliant in the role. A beautiful human being. I always support his work. I wish him the best this world offers.”
By the way, if all this Matrix nostalgia has got you wishing you could see it on the big screen again, you’re in luck! AMC will be presenting a special anniversary screening of it in September.