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Keymaker

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Keymaker
The Matrix character
The Keymaker while in his workplace
First appearanceThe Matrix Reloaded
Portrayed byRandall Duk Kim
In-universe information
AliasThe Exile
SpeciesAnthropomorph computer program
GenderMale
NationalityAsian

The Keymaker in the The Matrix series is one of the sentient programs, rogue to the System. The Keymaker carves shortcut keys used by every program in the Matrix, such as Seraph, the Merovingian, Persephone or agents. Those with keys can move throughout the entire Matrix, being able to access any and all of its entities.[1] Summoned by the Oracle in The Matrix Reloaded, protagonist Neo has to find the Keymaker to access the backdoor to the Architect (also credited as The Source) of the Matrix and ultimately save Zion. The Keymaker also appears in the short lampoon MTV: Reloaded, produced for the 2003 MTV Movie Awards.

Keys

The keys are already mentioned in The Matrix, where Morpheus says the agents are guarding all the doors and holding all the keys.[2] Explaining to Neo the way the keys work, Seraph informs that the code is hidden in tumblers with one position opening a lock and another opening one of the doors.[3] There are two types of keys: one, used by Seraph opens the white backdoor corridor, another, used by Persephone unlocks the doors directly to each other[4] (the backdoor corridor is a programmer's maintenance passage[5] and the start point to any destination in the Matrix[4]). The most common function of keys is directing any door to the backdoor corridor.[4] The key, which makes accessible the Architect is "integral to the path of the One" (Neo).[6] In Enter The Matrix the Keymaker gives one key to Niobe. The Matrix Reloaded reveals that the keys may also have the ignition key capability, particularly to set on Ducati 996 motorcycle from a hauler.

Plot

File:Keymaker pointing (edited).jpg
The Keymaker pointing Neo at the door to the Source in the backdoor corridor just before confronting Smith.

Randall Duk Kim describes Keymaker as a character that belongs in Wind in the Willows but then somehow ended up in Alice in Wonderland and then got lost in the Matrix.[7] Wachowski brothers' thoughts on Keymaker were coming on the spot as various takes were done.[7] He is a creation of collaboration,[8] where Larry Wachowski suggested Kim to cut his stride in half, so that Keymaker's scurry movements has appeared.[7]

The Keymaker is an old program[9] and his past is obscure.[3] Faced with deletion or exile, he chooses exile.[10] Consequently he becomes a type of program known as the exile and is referred to as such by the agents in The Matrix Reloaded. Kim says the Keymaker shouldn't have any freedom of choice, but he did make a choice by hiding along with the other exiles.[7] Along with the Trainman, Twins, Cain, Abel, the Chessman and Dire Lupines, the Keymaker belongs to infiltration programs.[11] Parallel with the Trainman, Sati, Kamala and Silver, he is within the modelization programs.[11] Facilitating rapid passage between otherwise incongruent spaces of the Matrix, characters such as the Keymaker and Seraph do so entirely to serve the purposes of others[12] (the Merovingian, who guards the imprisoned Keymaker, explains him as being "a means but not a why").[3] Merovingian's world makes use of the access provided by the Keymaker to serve his own ends[1] (in The Matrix: Path of Neo Agent Smith wants the Keymaker to join his army).[13] As the Merovingian refuses to bring Neo to the Keymaker, his wayward wife Persephone makes a deal. In exchange for a single kiss from Neo in a way she could feel love, Persephone agrees to secretly guide Neo and the rest to the Keymaker's hidden workplace. The room is filled with thousands of keys representing different modes of activating higher states of awareness.[14] The Keymaker says the backdoor corridor is in "the building", a skyscraper-like virtual counterpart of computer which runs the Matrix. The corridor is however invisible to operators as it doesn't show up on their screens.[15] It is also a place "where no elevator can go, and no stair can reach" until the building is de-energized.[3] The Keymaker informs that there is only one door to the Source, adding that it will be accessible for exactly 314 seconds. The number is explained by the Keymaker as "the length and breadth of the window" without the measurement units being specified.[3] There is also an assumption that the number is a reference to pi[16] (3,14) as every key and every door culminates in one event which completes the circle of accessing method.[1] Saying then to Morpheus "That door will take you home" the Keymaker shows him how to escape to the next telephone to leave the Matrix.

Keymaker's opposite is Captain Jason "Deadbolt" Locke, who stands in the way of Neo's path.[17] Having fulfilled his providential purpose, the Keymaker is shot dead by Smith's copies. He announces that "it was meant to be" and succeeds in passing his key to Neo.

Notes

  1. ^ a b c "The Matrix Mythology and Characters Homepage". Briandemilio.com. Retrieved 2007-12-15.
  2. ^ "The Matrix script". Dc-mrg.english.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  3. ^ a b c d e "The Matrix Reloaded script". X-Matrix.net. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  4. ^ a b c Template:Ru icon"Investigating the Matrix-The Way the Keymaker's Keys Work". Lozhki.net. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  5. ^ "Enter the Matrix transcript". Kalime.com. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
  6. ^ "Enter the Matrix (2003)(VG)-Memorable quotes". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  7. ^ a b c d Brian Hiatt. ""The Matrix"s Keymaker speaks out". EW.com. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  8. ^ "MxOS Exclusive Interview: Randall Duk Kim". Matrix.Stratics.com. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
  9. ^ Tor Thorsen. "The Matrix Reloaded (2003)". Reel.com. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  10. ^ "The Matrix Online Archive". Mxoarchive.net. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  11. ^ a b "Exile programs". Dictionary-of-Matrix.com. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
  12. ^ Díaz-Diocaretz, Myriam (2006). The Matrix in Theory. pp. p. 172. ISBN 9042016396. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "The Matrix: Path of Neo - Turned Out - Game Guide". Guides.gamepressure.com. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  14. ^ Chhalliyil, Pradheep. Journey to the Source: Decoding Matrix Trilogy. pp. p. 129. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  15. ^ "Understanding the Matrix Reloaded". TheMatrix101.com. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  16. ^ "Unlocking the Matrix". Time.com. Retrieved 2007-12-15.
  17. ^ Lawrence, Matt (2004). Like a Splinter in Your Mind: The Philosophy Behind the Matrix Trilogy. pp. p. 202. ISBN 1405125241. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

See also

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