The Matrix Stole Everything and Understood Nothing

The Matrix Stole Everything and Understood Nothing

June 21, 2026 · 1h 34m · Episode 103

About this episode

The episode discusses the deeper themes of Ghost in the Shell compared to The Matrix, highlighting the influence of the former on the latter.

The Wachowskis walked into a studio with a copy of Ghost in the Shell and said "we want to do that, but for real." Four years later, The Matrix made a billion dollars. Ghost in the Shell made nothing on release. Richard Lewis, Thorin, and MonteCristo break down why the 80-minute anime the Wachowskis ripped off is deeper, smarter, and more relevant in the age of AI than the franchise it spawned.

People in this episode

Guests: Richard Lewis, Thorin, MonteCristo

Topics covered

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Wachowskis

Books & works: The Matrix, Ghost in the Shell

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