#The matrix blue pill or red pill movie#

In May 2020, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk tweeted about taking the red pill Donald Trump’s daughter and adviser, Ivanka Trump, positively replied. Gaining prominence during the 2016 presidential election of Donald Trump, the alt-right-which sometimes overlaps with men’s rights groups- also adopted red pill. In this context, taking the red pill is seeing the truth that white nationalism is under threat from such things as socialism, feminism, immigration, social justice, and other aspects associated with liberal politics. Taking the red pill, here, is seeing this anti-feminist “truth.” In 2012, the Reddit community The Red Pill was founded around the principle that it is men, rather than women, who are oppressed by a society. Red pill and blue pill have become slang, respectively, for accepting truth even though it’s difficult, or rejecting it to cling to a comfortable falsehood.Ī more specific, and controversial, use of the term comes from anti-feminist and far-right groups online, many of whom are extremist and misogynistic. In that film, one character offers another a red pill, said to be a symbol of his “desire to return to reality.” There’s no blue pill presented, however. The concept has a precedent in the 1990 science fiction film Total Recall. If he takes the blue pill, he’ll continue to live in blissful ignorance. The blue pill represents comfort and security. Neo’s world will be changed uncomfortably if he takes the red pill, but he’ll be made aware of the truth of the world.

The red pill represents an awakening, but one that could be difficult and painful.

#The matrix blue pill or red pill movie#

There’s a scene early on in the movie in which the main character, Neo, is offered two pills: a red one and a blue one. Red pill comes from the popular and influential 1999 sci-fi action film, The Matrix.