A Glitch in the Matrix
{{Short description|2021 film by Rodney Ascher}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| name = A Glitch in the Matrix
| image = A Glitch in the Matrix poster.jpg
| caption = Official release poster
| director = Rodney Ascher
| producer = Ross M. Dinerstein
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Nick Bostrom
- Joshua Cooke
- Erik Davis
- Alex LeVine
- Brother Læo Mystwood
- Paul Gude
- Jesse Orion
- Emily Pothast
- Jeremy Felts
- Chris Ware
}}
| narrator =
| music = Jonathan Snipes
| cinematography = George Feucht
| editing = {{Plainlist|
- Rodney Ascher
- Rachel Tejada
}}
| animator = {{Plainlist|
- Lorenzo Fonda
- Davy Force
- Mindbomb Films
}}
| production_companies = {{Plainlist|
- Campfire
- Highland Park Classics
- Valparaiso Pictures
}}
| distributor = Magnolia Pictures
| released = {{Film date|2021|01|31|Sundance|2021|02|05|United States}}
| runtime = 108 minutes
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget =
| gross = $2,238
}}
A Glitch in the Matrix is a 2021 American documentary film directed by Rodney Ascher. The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 31, 2021, and was released theatrically and on digital platforms on February 5, 2021, by Magnolia Pictures to generally positive reviews.{{cite web |title='A Glitch in the Matrix' Review: A Documentary Plunge Into Simulation Theory and its Resonant, Annoying True Believers |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/a-glitch-in-the-matrix-review-1234900174/ |last=Gleiberman |first=Owen |work=Variety |date=February 3, 2021 |access-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206192209/https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/a-glitch-in-the-matrix-review-1234900174/ |url-status=live }}
Premise
Part science fiction mind-scrambler, part horror story, A Glitch in the Matrix is a multimedia exploration of simulation hypothesis – an "idea as old as Plato's Republic and as current as Elon Musk's Twitter feed" – through the eyes of those who suspect the world we live in is not real.
Cast
The following cast members feature in the film as themselves:
- Nick Bostrom
- Joshua Cooke
- Erik Davis
- Philip K. Dick
- Alex LeVine
- Læo Mystwood
- Paul Gude
- Jesse Orion
Production
The film was first announced on February 4, 2019, as part of the European Film Market, with Quiver Entertainment, then known as Kew Media Distribution, handling international sales.{{cite press release |title=KEW MEDIA DISTRIBUTION LANDS INTERNATIONAL SALES RIGHTS FOR SLATE OF NEW FILMS TO BE INTRODUCED AT EFM IN BERLIN |url=https://www.kewmediadistribution.com/content_hub/news/kew_media_distribution_lands_international_sales_rights_for_slate_of_new_films_to_be_introduced_at_efm_in_berlin.html |work=Quiver Entertainment |date=February 4, 2019 |access-date=February 7, 2021 |archive-date=February 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207231019/https://www.kewmediadistribution.com/content_hub/news/kew_media_distribution_lands_international_sales_rights_for_slate_of_new_films_to_be_introduced_at_efm_in_berlin.html |url-status=live }} On December 15, 2020, the film was selected as part of the 2021 Sundance Film Festival lineup.{{cite web |title=Sundance 2021 Full Lineup: Pandemic, Politics, Rita Moreno, Octavia Butler, 'Passing' & 'Sesame Street' Pack Semi-Virtual Festival |url=https://deadline.com/2020/12/sundance-film-festival-2021-lineup-virtual-edition-list-robert-redford-1234656138/ |last1=Patten |first1=Dominic |last2=D'Alesssandro |first2=Anthony |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 15, 2020 |access-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206192413/https://deadline.com/2020/12/sundance-film-festival-2021-lineup-virtual-edition-list-robert-redford-1234656138/ |url-status=live }} The following day, Magnolia Pictures acquired worldwide rights to the film.{{cite web |title=Rodney Ascher's 'A Glitch in the Matrix' Acquired by Magnolia Ahead of Sundance Premiere |url=https://www.thewrap.com/rodney-aschers-a-glitch-in-the-matrix-acquired-by-magnolia-ahead-of-sundance-premiere/ |last=Welk |first=Brian |work=TheWrap |date=December 16, 2020 |access-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206192413/https://www.thewrap.com/rodney-aschers-a-glitch-in-the-matrix-acquired-by-magnolia-ahead-of-sundance-premiere/ |url-status=live }} Alongside the announcement, a teaser trailer was released.
Release
The film had its world premiere on January 31, 2021, at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival as part of the Midnight section.{{cite web |title=A GLITCH IN THE MATRIX |url=https://fpg.festival.sundance.org/film-info/5fd067928e9fe36fcd33c4a3 |work=Sundance Film Festival |access-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206192413/https://fpg.festival.sundance.org/film-info/5fd067928e9fe36fcd33c4a3 |url-status=live }} The film was then given a limited theatrical release on February 5, 2021, as well as a digital release via premium video on demand.
In its opening weekend, the film grossed $3,000 in the United States.{{cite web |title='Earwig And The Witch' Hits Theaters, 'Supernova' Stays Afloat – Specialty Box Office |url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/earwig-and-the-witch-studio-ghibli-supernova-bleecker-street-specialty-box-office-1234689313/ |last=Ramos |first=Dino-Ray |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=February 7, 2021 |access-date=February 7, 2021 |archive-date=February 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207230911/https://deadline.com/2021/02/earwig-and-the-witch-studio-ghibli-supernova-bleecker-street-specialty-box-office-1234689313/ |url-status=live }}
Critical reception
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 68% Fresh rating, with the site's critical consensus reading "Although occasionally muddled, A Glitch in the Matrix is a thought-provoking portrait of digital culture and its relationship to reality." The film has an average score of 6.2/10 based on 98 critic reviews. On Metacritic, the film has a score of 62/100 based on 25 critic reviews.
Wendy Ide of Screen International called the documentary "fascinating, mind-expanding, infuriating, bewildering," and "bracingly ambitious" in a positive review.{{cite web |title='A Glitch In the Matrix': Sundance Review |url=https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/a-glitch-in-the-matrix-sundance-review/5156464.article |last=Ide |first=Wendy |work=Screen International |date=January 31, 2021 |access-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206192438/https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/a-glitch-in-the-matrix-sundance-review/5156464.article |url-status=live }} John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter wrote that "though it leaves some avenues under-explored and gives a bit too much attention to the sci-fi landmark name-checked in its title, the film makes for engrossing, sometimes unsettling viewing" in another mostly positive review.{{cite web |title='A Glitch in the Matrix': Film Review {{!}} Sundance 2021 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/a-glitch-in-the-matrix-film-review-sundance-2021 |last=DeFore |first=John |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=January 30, 2021 |access-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-date=February 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207174518/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/a-glitch-in-the-matrix-film-review-sundance-2021 |url-status=live }} Leslie Felperin of The Guardian gave the film 3/5 stars, stating that "what's missing from this fecund brew, which you could imagine being twice as long, is any kind of judgment or analysis of the subjects."{{cite web |title=A Glitch in the Matrix review – deep-dive into simulation theory |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/feb/04/a-glitch-in-the-matrix-review-deep-dive-into-simulation-theory |last=Felperin |first=Leslie |work=The Guardian |date=February 4, 2021 |access-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206192211/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/feb/04/a-glitch-in-the-matrix-review-deep-dive-into-simulation-theory |url-status=live }} Noel Murray from the Los Angeles Times wrote that "while the doc may be overlong, it's consistently fascinating because of its implications" in a mixed review.{{cite web |title=Review: Reality or fantasy, 'A Glitch in the Matrix' argues that it's always best to play nice |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-02-04/review-glitch-in-the-matrix-rodney-ascher |last=Murray |first=Noel |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 4, 2021 |access-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206192211/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-02-04/review-glitch-in-the-matrix-rodney-ascher |url-status=live }}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|aglitchinthematrixfilm.com}}
- {{IMDb title|tt9847360}}
- {{Mojo title|9847360}}
- {{Rotten tomatoes|m/a_glitch_in_the_matrix}}
- {{Metacritic film}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Glitch in the Matrix, A}}
Category:2021 documentary films
Category:American animated documentary films
Category:American films with live action and animation
Category:Documentary films about science
Category:Films about simulated reality
Category:Films about the afterlife
Category:Films directed by Rodney Ascher
Category:Documentary films about conspiracy theories