The first reactions to The Matrix Resurrections are in, and while there were some who were left less than enamored by director Lana Wachowski’s vision, the majority are encouragingly positive. Ranging from being a meta masterclass in sequel filmmaking to a bafflingly hot mess, it sounds like The Matrix Resurrections will, much like its predecessors, bring something a little different to blockbuster action sci-fi movie-making as audiences once again plug into the digital world with Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss.

Taking to social media to share their general reviews before the full embargo lifts on Tuesday, most of those lucky enough to have basked in The Matrix Resurrections certainly seems to have been swept up once again in the game-changing franchise. Much attention has been paid to the movie’s meta-approach to continuing the story, with one critic describing the sequel as “Weird, romantic, *extremely.* meta, and consistently funny.” Another echoes many of these sentiments, calling The Matrix Resurrections “STELLAR,” as well as “Smart, funny, weird, self-referential & unexpected.”

Sadly, not everyone was charmed by The Matrix Resurrections, with some taking issue with the meta and self-referential relationship the sequel has with the original trilogy. One viewer criticized the movie for being an “exposition dump” that relies far too heavily on the franchise’s legacy. Somewhat unsurprisingly, the long-awaited follow-up seemingly does not match the sheer cinematic quality of the first The Matrix, with another critic saying it “pales in comparison.”

Many of these first reactions though found a lot to love about The Matrix Resurrections. Despite some shortcomings, the movie looks to have taken the majority of critics with it on what sounds like a bizarre addition to the franchise that floats somewhere between genius and madness.

The Matrix Resurrections seemed to come out of nowhere. Picking up twenty years after the events of 2003’s The Matrix Revolutions, the sequel finds Neo living a seemingly ordinary life under his original identity as Thomas A. Anderson in San Francisco. Though he does not remember his past adventures, he is haunted by dreams, and now sees a therapist who prescribes him blue pills which dampen his destiny’s call. When a mysteriously younger version of Morpheus once again offers him the red pill, Neo reopens his mind to the world of the Matrix, joining a new group of rebels in search of the truth.

Produced, co-written, and directed by Lana Wachowski, The Matrix Resurrections stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss, as well as Jada Pinkett Smith, who will all reprise their respective roles from previous movies. Making up the rest of the supporting cast are Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jessica Henwick, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Lambert Wilson, Daniel Bernhardt, Eréndira Ibarra, Christina Ricci, Jonathan Groff, Neil Patrick Harris, Telma Hopkins, Max Riemelt, Toby Onwumere, Brian J. Smith, Andrew Caldwell, and Ellen Hollman.

The Matrix Resurrections will have its world premiere on December 18, 2021, in San Francisco and is scheduled to be released by Warner Bros. Pictures theatrically on December 22, 2021. The movie will also stream digitally on HBO Max in the United States for a month beginning on that same date.