everybody seem to compare this to the matrix and the 13th floor and and when i first saw it i would have agree i be expect the matrix and be a little disappointed . but upon repeat viewing my respect for this movie have grow immensely . the thing to keep in mind be that the matrix be a great action movie with some philosophical mumbo jumbo throw in . the 13th floor be a passable action movie with some slightly more interesting philosophical mumbo jumbo throw in . existenz be not an action movie at all and and be not ( a many seem to believe ) about reality or any such deep concept . it about the human tendency to intentionally replace reality with an artificial ( both in it origin and in it behavior ) world of make believe . the most chilling moment in the movie be when allegra geller repeat her scripted line . it at that point you realize that the people in the game have voluntarily surrender their free will in order to participate in a story . this be make even more frightening at the end when darcy nader ( or rather his player ) comment on the possibility of spend one life in the game . i sympathize completely with the realist philosophy and that provide interesting world in which people simply locate the correct predefined path to the end goal be ultimately a recipe for a soulless existence . living in the game be not live at all and but be a tempting way to spend one time on earth . a allegra comment about the real world and there nothing go on here . might as well jack into someone else imagination and and pretend to be do something interesting . ( although i have to ask whether cronenberg considers this a self indictment and consider that he himself offer up world to be experience in 90 minute snippet . ) upon leave the theater after first watch this movie and i think it be one of those movie that be watchable only to see how it end . but have see it a couple more time ( thank you scifi channel ) i have realize how much deep it go . seriously and if you have only see it once and it deserve another viewing .