Trinity, not Neo, can fly in The Matrix Resurrections, a twist the movie perfectly sets up throughout. The decision to go back to the Matrix has proved divisive, with The Matrix Resurrections receiving mixed reviews and underperforming at the box office. Much of that is down to the meta approach to the narrative, which delivers a number of surprises and makes some key changes to the roles, powers, and ultimate fates of Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss).

In this version of the Matrix, at least, as overseen and manipulated by the Analyst (Neil Patrick Harris) rather than the Architect, it seems Neo and Trinity are both The One. That gives Trinity are much greater role in things than ever before (and it’s not like she was unimportant previously), and levels up her powers, which includes one of the most impressive abilities seen in the original Matrix trilogy: the means to fly.

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The reveal of Trinity flying in The Matrix Resurrections is a great moment, not least because it delivers payoff to a running plot thread and joke. Across The Matrix 4, there are numerous references to the fact Neo can, or at least could, fly. In his sessions with the Analyst, Neo is told that he jumped off a roof because he wanted to "fly away." When he meets Morpheus (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) he's given a red pill and told "time to fly," and in Io, with Neo superfan Shepherd (Max Riemelt), he's asked: "Is it true you could fly?" The Matrix Resurrections seems a little obsessed with Neo flying, which leads to its double payoff: not only that, when the moment comes, Neo is unable to perform, but even better that Trinity is now the one who can fly, perfectly flipping the switch on the setup and the original trilogy, which is in keeping with the movie as a whole.

Matrix resurrections Why trinity can fly and neo cant

A lesser movie may have simply given the more obviously fan-service moment of having Neo fly as the end result of those comments. Trinity flying is another example of how the movie not only subverts expectations and all conventional notions of what a legacy sequel should be, but does so while staying true to the original movies and its characters. Trinity flying isn't just payoff to some of The Matrix Resurrections' lines, but also setup by its story and themes too. The moment underscores how things aren't the same as the way before, and even more so the importance of Trinity in the Matrix and to Neo. Throughout Resurrections, Neo needs to not only rediscover his old self, but awaken and save Trinity too, and so by the end of course it's her who saves him with her moment of flight.

The Analyst discusses how it's Trinity and Neo as one - and now, seemingly, The One - that is special, at least in the rebooted version of the Matrix, which likely explains how she gained the ability to fly too: the Analyst likely meddled with her code, giving her access to the Prime Program and at least some of Neo's powers. This isn't just a shock twist, though, but well setup throughout the movie. Neo's reliance upon, and love for, Trinity is well-established, as are hints of her powers in scenes such as when they hold hands and she unleashes a blast of energy. Because Neo and Trinity are one, then all the references to Neo flying are essentially about her as well; as the very final scene makes clear, it's time for both of them to fly, connecting to the love story at the very core of The Matrix Resurrections.

Next: Matrix Resurrections Ending Explained: Analyst's Plan & Neo/Trinity Future