Little known sci-fi film that The Matrix is accused of 'ripping off' is being called underrated

The Matrix has been accused of 'ripping off' a sci-film most of us have never heard of.

1998's Dark City came out one year prior to Keanu Reeves' most iconic film and just by the trailer alone, it looks pretty similar.

Watch below:

As we all know, Reeves famously played the role of cybercriminal and computer programmer Neo/Thomas Anderson.

And just in case our memories need a refresh, the movie follows a future in which humanity is unknowingly trapped inside 'the Matrix' - a simulated reality that intelligent machines have created to distract humans while using their bodies as an energy source.

When Neo finally uncovers the truth, he joins a rebellion against the machines along with other people who have been freed from 'the Matrix'.

Warner Bros

Similar in cinematography, atmosphere, and plot, Dark City follows John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell) who awakens alone in a strange hotel to find that he is wanted for a series of brutal murders.

The slight issue is that he can't remember whether he committed the murders or not.

The character seeks to unravel the twisted riddle of his identity.

New Line Cinema

But as he edges closer to solving the mystery, he stumbles upon a underworld controlled by a group of ominous beings collectively known as the Strangers.

Sound similar?

Both plots attempt to distract a selected victim from the truth of the 'real' world.

But all of us know which movie came out first.

Taking to social media, some viewers were even calling the older a film 'a better movie'.

Warner Bros

One user wrote: "The Matrix is nothing more than a fancy rip off of Dark City. Prove me wrong."

Another added: "One of the most iconic things of the original Matrix was realizing that the whole thing was a blatant rip off of Dark City.

While a third person agreed: "Well The Matrix is somewhat of a rip-off of Dark City. However, Dark City is the better film."

"Dark City is the far better movie than its rip off, The Matrix. Pass it on," a fourth added.

New Line Cinema

Although, someone else also gave The Matrix the benefit of the doubt, writing: "I don’t think the producers of The Matrix had time to rip off Dark City, since it was released only a year after Dark City (1998/1999)."

"Dark City and The Matrix were in development at roughly the same time," another added.

Topics: The Matrix, Film and TV

Anish Vij

Anish has an MA in Multimedia Journalism and is passionate about delivering sarcastic/mildly amusing content. After studying business at undergrad, Anish realised that he’d much prefer getting paid to rant about a topic, rather than to find a solution to it. Apart from that, he loves the ‘Four F’s’, as he calls it - family, friends, football and food. Email: [email protected]

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