Keanu Reeves & Carrie-Anne Moss Reflect on the Moments That Defined The Matrix

More than two decades after The Matrix first hit theaters, Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss are still in awe of the franchise that redefined sci-fi action. In a recent sit-down, the two stars reflected on the physical, emotional, and creative challenges of making one of cinema’s most iconic series.

“Well, we certainly got older,” Reeves said with a smile. “Not you,” Moss shot back.

Their banter quickly turned into memories of the risks and dedication required on set. Moss revealed she had undergone neck surgery before shooting the first film, a fact that made the insurance team nervous. “My doctor came in with this beautiful X-ray of my neck — the screws and all — just as a reminder,” she recalled.

For Moss, the challenge of bringing Trinity to life was both exhilarating and terrifying. “When I read the first script and saw that scene of Trinity running alongside the wall, I thought, How are we going to do that?” she said. “I learned how, step by step, injuring myself sometimes, feeling like I couldn’t do it — but continuing anyway. That’s what’s so amazing about The Matrix: we were all in the room training together, serving one vision.”

Reeves echoed that sentiment, recalling the cutting-edge technology and ideas the Wachowskis introduced. “They showed me a pre-viz proof of concept for one shot,” he said. “It was about space, time, and perspective in a way I’d never seen before — maybe only in animation. And then we got to actually do it. We were involved in image capture and early CGI work. It was fun.”

Some of their most iconic stunts still linger in their minds. Moss recently had a fan ask her to recreate her famous “Dodge this” moment. “I thought about it for a second and said no,” she laughed. Reeves, meanwhile, reflected on what he calls the most dangerous stunt of his career: riding a Ducati 996 with a passenger, helmetless.

“I wasn’t a very experienced motorcycle rider,” Reeves admitted. “I trained on a small bike, then a bigger bike, and then that Ducati — with someone’s life depending on me. I knew that if I allowed my mind even one moment of doubt, I could hurt another human being. Holding that mental focus was exhausting, but the feeling of accomplishment at the end was incredible.”

Even after all these years, both stars continue to push themselves. For The Matrix Resurrections, they performed a jaw-dropping jump from a 44th or 45th floor building. “Scott [the stunt coordinator] set up a situation where we could do it, and so we did,” Moss said, smiling.

Returning to the franchise feels like coming full circle for both actors. “After all these years, to be going back to where it all started — back to the Matrix,” Reeves reflected. “There’s one shot with an ARCH motorcycle — Trinity rides a beautiful, powerful bike. Too powerful for me.”

It’s that combination of groundbreaking visuals, extreme dedication, and deep camaraderie that has kept The Matrix alive in pop culture — and in the hearts of its stars.