"The Matrix" is a 1999 science fiction film directed by the Wachowskis.

The story begins with a computer programmer named Thomas A. Anderson, who leads a double life as a hacker under the alias "Neo". He is plagued by cryptic dreams and an unshakeable feeling that something is wrong with the world.

One day, he is contacted by a mysterious group led by Morpheus, who believes that Neo is "The One" to end the war. Intrigued, Neo follows the path, which leads him to the horrifying discovery that the world he perceives is not real. It's a simulated reality, created by sentient machines to pacify and subdue the human population while their bodies are used as an energy source.

Upon this revelation, Neo is freed from the simulation, known as the Matrix. He joins Morpheus and his crew aboard the ship Nebuchadnezzar in the real world, which is a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The group is a part of the last group of free humans, who are resisting against the machines.

Morpheus mentors Neo to understand and manipulate the Matrix. As he hones his skills, it becomes increasingly clear that Neo possesses capabilities beyond any normal human and has the potential to manipulate the Matrix's code.

Meanwhile, agents of the system, led by Agent Smith, hunt Neo and the crew within the Matrix. In a dramatic showdown, Neo is killed inside the Matrix by Agent Smith, but because he is "The One", he comes back to life, showing a complete understanding and command over the Matrix. He defeats Agent Smith and starts spreading the truth among other humans in the Matrix.

The story sets up the stage for the sequels, where Neo and the group continue their struggle against the machines and the system.