Emile Hirsch Explains Why Speed Racer Is Better Than the Matrix

Actor Emile Hirsch has made a bold claim about the position of Speed Racer on the science-fiction podium, proclaiming it to be better than The Matrix. Speed Racer, directed by the Wachoswki sisters, has found a second life in the age of streaming and developed a cult-following among contemporary audiences. Based on the 1967 anime of the same name, the film stars Hirsch as the titular Speed Racer as he enters The Crucible, a deadly car rally with a massive cash prize.

Hirsch took to X/Twitter to voice his divisive opinion about the Wachowskis’ racing movie. The Wachoswki sisters also directed The Matrix trilogy, with the first film constantly being hailed as one of the greatest science fiction movies of all-time. However, Hirsch holds his own project with the Wachowskis in higher regard. The internet is now filled with articles, podcasts, and video essays on YouTube describing Speed Racer as a misunderstood masterpiece. Hirsch said:

“Just look up “why Speed Racer is a masterpiece” on YouTube and there’s like a thousand videos. A thousand articles written as well. Can we finally just declare that Speed Racer > The Matrix?”

Fans Take to Social Medai to Debate the Matrix vs. Speed Racer

Science-fiction fans are devout in their dedicated fandoms towards certain franchises and Emile Hirsch’s bold claim has expectedly divided the fan base. Surprisingly for X, the comments are unusually civil. However, the fans have taken distinct sides in this online showdown between two amazing sci-fi movies.

The Matrix is a monolith of the science-fiction genre. Following its release in 1999, The Matrix (starring Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne, and Hugo Weaving) redefined the genre, paving the way for more mature, darker, and complex stories in the genre. It also introduced Western audiences to the wirework stunts commonly associated with Eastern wuxia films. A large section of fans stood firmly behind The Matrix as the better film. Check out a selection of The Matrix defenders’ comments below:

Meanwhile, a staunch group of Speed Racer fans zoomed into the comments to agree that the film is an underrated masterpiece. You can read a selection of their tweets below:

While the comparisons between The Matrix and Speed Racer are subjective, there is one category that Speed Racer dominates in… best anime adaptation. Live-action anime adaptations have a complicated history over the last 40 years. Recent attempts like Dragonball Evolution, Ghost in the Shell, Attack on Titan, and the recent Avatar: The Last Airbender have all failed to achieve the same success as their animated predecessors.

So, do you agree with Hirsch that Speed Racer is better than The Matrix? Or is the journey of Keanu Reeves as The One the best movie in the Wachowski’s back catalog? For those who think the latter, you’ll be pleased to hear that a fifth movie in The Matrix franchise is now in the works.