The document discusses the audience analysis for the 1999 film The Matrix. It analyzes the target demographic, which was mainly men ages 16-45 of various ethnicities from middle to working class backgrounds. Psychographically, it would appeal most to reformers, succeeders, and explorers due to themes of freedom, control, and adventure. While initially marketed to a niche audience, the film had mainstream success because the characters were relatable and engaging. The Matrix provided audiences with information, entertainment, escapism, companionship, and a sense of identity. It satisfied uses and gratifications of entertainment, escapism, and imagination. However, the document argues that the film's unique plot and relatable characters contributed more to its success than

1. THE MATRIX: Audience
Analysis
The Wachowski Brothers’ cinematic masterpiece premiered in 1999 and was a
high concept film with a big budget, extraordinary yet relatable characters and
a gripping plot. It featured stars such as Lawrence Fishburne and Keanu
Reeves. Its global demographic made it a success in box offices worldwide.
A fair rating of 12A (PG13) encouraged a wider audience to visit the screenings
experience the spectacucalar narrative for themselves on the big screen.

2. The Target Audience:
Demographic:
o Gender: Mainly men but some female-
The Matrix has no stereotypically feminine
aspects but focuses more on modern
gender roles than the overall
femininity/masculinity of the film
o Age: 16-45- The Matrix would appeal
more to this age range due to the fact that
they would appreciate the plot more; the
plot may also be too
complicated/depressing for the younger
ages
o Location: Nowhere specific
o Ethnicity: Mainly Caucasian but also
those darker skin due to having a common
ethnicity to the lead roles
o Class: (Upper) Middle-working class as
this would relate to Neo’s class
Psychographic:
I think that the Matrix would appeal
more to REFORMERS as it presents the
need to be free and encourages personal
growth and social enlightenment.
SUCCEEDERS would like this film due to
both having a desire/need to seek
control. Also, The Matrix would charm
EXPLORERS due to the sense of
adventure and individualism presented
within the motion picture.
It would not however appeal to
MAINSTREAMISTS as it discourages
conformism nor would it apply to CARE-
GIVERS as the characters can be ruthless
and violent to one another.
Whilst appearing as film marketed to a niche audience due to the characters’
refusal to conform to their society and remain socially aware, The Matrix is
actually, in fact, a mainstream film as the characters are relatable and
engaging

3. How does The Matrix satisfy its audience in terms of
Information:
The Matrix can provide
information as it is able to
provide an alternative
theory for the being of our
world. It also gives various
possibilities about our
world- e.g.: that we are all
trapped inside a computer
program.)
As well as this, the more
audiences watch the
Matrix, the more it seems
to fit with our world- it is
in this way that the Matrix
relates to the Cultivation
Theory.
Entertainment:
The Matrix will no doubt
offer the viewer some
entertainment as the
movie, due to being
exciting and action filled,
could influence their lives
by having a sense of
excitement and action in
their lives. Also, it will give
audience as sense of
escapism (albeit to a
dystopia) if they want to
escape the boredom of
everyday life.
Companionship:
We do get accustomed to the
characters in the Matrix-even if
we don’t mean to. By
beginning the movie at the
start of Neo’s journey, we
begin to feel like a part of it.
We gasp in shock with Trinity
when Neo almost dies and
smile with pride when he
embraces his role as The One.
Even Morpheus and Trinity feel
like friends. Morpheus
becomes the Matrix’s
equivalent of Ben Kenobi- he is
the guide for the hero. And
Trinity, we begin to feel some
attachment to her-and due to
the chase at the start, we see
how powerful and strong she
is. This makes the audience
was to be her and her friends
Identity:
The perks of hiring a youngish
actor who isn’t that burly as the
hero, is that more and more of the
Matrix’s target audience will
relate to him as they could see
themselves being a hero despite
not being muscular themselves. It
also has a few supporting actors
who aren’t white so this will make
the film more relatable as
audiences tend to feel that they
can relate more to a character is
they look more like them (eg:
darker skinned people can relate
to Morpheus whilst women can
relate to Trinity).
Broadly speaking, out of the Uses and Gratifications theory, The Matrix (in my opinion) offers mainly a sense of entertainment
and escapism as it allows the audience to immerse themselves in a different world in the event that their world isn’t as
satisfying as it could be. This fits with my demographic as it offers a sense of imagination to those ages that may be lacking in
it.

4. Utopian Solutions: The Matrix provides transparency as it offers
a theory into the reality of life and what
could happen with machines in the future.
It provides us with energy as we get caught
up in the action sequences.
Intensity is obviously present due to
suspense that is present throughout the
whole film (finding out what the Matrix,
wondering if Neo is The One etc)
Also, it provides us with a sense of
community as we see the whole team
working together.
Due to the convenience of being set in a
computer program, Neo is able to procure
whatever he needs in a matter of seconds.
This may lead the viewer to notice an
abundance in their everyday lives.
• Transparency – seeing what the government
is really up to, how technology is controlling
us or taking over ….
• Energy – watching the hero chase the villain,
fight the aliens…
• Intensity – Will the hero save the world? Will
the hero live or die? Conflict and suspense.
• Community – working as a team, having a
sidekick, fighting on behalf of your people,
your community, your nation, your planet.
• Abundance – the plentiful supply of
technology, weapons, ammunition, fast cars,
helicopters, equipment, gadgets, whatever
the hero needs…

5. How far do you think the film is a success because of
the way it appeals to a specific audience group?
While I do think that the film was success because it appealed to a wide audience, I
do not think that this was the main key to The Matrix’s success- I think that the
unique plot and relatable characters contributed more to its success.