‘Mr. Robot’ Season 2 Episode 9: Big Twist Ignites Compelling ‘Matrix’ Theory On Reddit

Mr. Robot Season 2: Rami Malek, Sam Esmail Reveal Whiterose Spoilers Before Release Date
Mr. Robot Season 2: Rami Malek, Sam Esmail Reveal Whiterose Spoilers Before Release Date USA Network

We’re officially on Sam Esmail’s personal rollercoaster after the big ‘Elliot’s been in prison this whole time’ stunt. Everything we know is a lie and speculating about the events of ‘Mr. Robot’ Season 2 has proved useless, but the reddit community has never been one to back down before a challenge. To be fair, it was a reddit user that first warned of us the possibility Elliot was in the prison very early in the season -- which, as we know, turned out to be spot-on. So let’s give this latest crazy theory a chance.

You’re probably familiar with a pretty awesome movie called The Matrix. Well, as of late, Mr. Robot feels all too similar to the film. The resemblance didn’t make it past reddit user blinky2310, who posted an analysis with factual details to back the theory. Take a look:

[Spoilers S2E8] Tin Foil Hat Level Theory. from MrRobot

The play on names are the most obvious: Thomas A. Anderson v. Elliot Alderson, Carrie-Anne Moss v. Angela Moss, and Whiterose vs. White Rabbit. The comments only enhance the theory. “T he ferris wheel scene is a blatant ripoff of the red pill/blue pill scene,” user Chris_sherrard points out “‘Are you a one or a zero?’ = Red pill/Blue pill.”

Mr. Robot's ferris wheel spiel = Morpheus' red pill/blue pill speech

A Matrix-esque theory came to the forefront of speculation in Season 1 when Whiterose told Elliot, “You hack people, I hack time.” We have yet to find out what Whiterose means by this, but the mysterious clock room we saw in Season 2 episode 7 probably has something to do with the answer to that question.

Needless to say, this theory sounds like a stretch, but reddit could be onto something. If Esmail’s willing to trick us for 7 episodes straight, another bigger twist wouldn’t come as a surprise. Not to mention, it wouldn’t be the first time Mr. Robot has incorporated influences from classic films -- Fight Club, Taxi Driver, American Psycho, Blade Runner, A Clockwork Orange and even more.

Do you think there’s any truth to this theory? Maybe Elliot isn't as crazy as he seems. Could he be living in a simulated reality controlled by machines? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Watch Mr. Robot Season 2 episode 9 tonight at 10 p.m. on USA.

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