Here’s an interesting analysis of the sets of myth that The Matrix is based on. I like reading these things because no one reviewer can quite commit to one particular myth-cycle or set of themes. Most are happy to jump between Old Testament mysticism, Christianity, Buddhism, and in this case Gnosticism. I’m sure really that the Wachowskis just weaved it all together however they felt like and when it’s all over we’re going to get a superbly postmodern (and yes, I’m using the term correctly) story.