30 Years Ago, The Wachowskis Made A Movie That’s Even Better Than The Matrix

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Lana and Lilly Wachowski are highly influential filmmakers known for their innovative work in modern cinema. They’re best recognized for directing the groundbreaking 1999 film, The Matrix, a sci-fi masterpiece that significantly impacted Hollywood with its unique action, striking visuals, and impressive fight scenes. While they’ve created other visually ambitious science fiction movies like Cloud Atlas, Jupiter Ascending, and Speed Racer, none achieved the same level of critical acclaim or box office success as The Matrix.

Many people consider The Matrix to be the high point of The Wachowskis’ filmmaking career, despite the sequels not living up to the original. But a closer look at their work shows that their best film is actually an earlier, lesser-known movie that isn’t science fiction at all. That film is Bound, and it’s a fantastic movie that succeeds through clever storytelling, not special effects or complicated ideas.

However, praising those elements doesn’t mean The Matrix isn’t a fantastic film – it absolutely earned all the praise it’s received. It just suggests that while the Wachowskis excel at science fiction, they might have been even more impressive with the smaller-scale, character-driven Bound.

Bound Is One Of The Best Movies Of The ’90s

Though it’s rarely discussed among the decade’s greatest films, Bound absolutely deserves to be. It probably flew under the radar due to its modest budget and box office returns – costing around $6 million to make and earning only about $3 million. That makes it a bit of a hidden treasure, unlike ’90s blockbusters like The Matrix, Jurassic Park, Forrest Gump, Pretty Woman, and Toy Story which are frequently cited as the best of the era.

Despite its simplicity, Bound is a truly exceptional film and deserves recognition among the best. The movie centers on Violet (Jennifer Tilly) and Corky (Gina Gershon), who become involved in a passionate affair while plotting to steal $2 million from the Mafia. Violet wants to escape her abusive relationship with mobster Caesar (Joe Pantoliano), and she and Corky see this heist as their way out. It’s a focused story that’s particularly noteworthy within the film work of The Wachowskis.

Despite not being a huge commercial hit, the film Bound received widespread critical acclaim. It boasts an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was a favorite at prestigious film festivals like Toronto and Venice. In 1997, it also won a GLAAD Media Award for its outstanding representation.

The Wachowskis Do A Lot With A Little In Bound

The fact that Bound was made on a smaller budget is part of what makes it so striking. Everyone knows the Wachowskis can deliver amazing visuals when they have a big budget – The Matrix was stunning for its $60 million cost, and the sequels had even more funding. Even though some of their other films didn’t perform as well commercially, movies like Speed Racer and Jupiter Ascending are undeniably visually impressive.

The Wachowskis demonstrated their filmmaking talent with Bound, proving they could create a compelling movie even with a very limited budget. While it doesn’t rely on extensive special effects, it makes the most of what it has. Instead of a sprawling epic, Bound focuses on a tight, intimate story, with almost all of the action taking place inside an apartment. This allows the actors to truly shine, and the Wachowskis clearly drew fantastic performances from the cast.

The Matrix Is Incredible But Bound Is More Accessible

While The Matrix is widely considered The Wachowskis’ masterpiece – and rightly so, as it’s a landmark sci-fi film from the ’90s – Bound offers a different kind of experience. Though The Matrix is undeniably brilliant, it demands more from its audience. It requires complete focus and careful attention to unravel a complex story within a meticulously crafted world. Bound, on the other hand, is a bit easier to jump into.

Bound is a really accessible film – it’s easy to relax and enjoy without having to think too much about complicated ideas or extensive world-building. While those elements can be great, sometimes you just want something simple and straightforward. Bound delivers on that front with its uncomplicated story. Because the movie isn’t overly complex, it needs to be consistently captivating and well-made, and thankfully, it is.

You should definitely watch The Matrix at least once – it’s a thought-provoking experience. Or, if you’re looking for something a bit different, Bound is an excellent choice with a compelling story and memorable characters. Both films are decade-defining classics and showcase the incredible talent of The Wachowskis.

Bound Has Become A Cult Classic

Although Bound wasn’t a box office hit when it first came out, it’s become a beloved cult film over the last thirty years. A major reason for this is the success of The Matrix. As more people became fans of the filmmaking siblings behind The Matrix, they started looking for their earlier work, discovering Bound, which was their first feature film.

A significant part of why Bound has become a cult classic is its devoted LGBTQ+ fanbase. Many consider it one of the best films ever made with lesbian characters and a central lesbian love story. Jennifer Tilly, Gina Gershon, and the Wachowskis are often seen as queer icons, and Bound played a huge role in establishing that. Beyond its cultural impact, Bound is simply a well-made, excellent movie, and that quality ultimately endures.

While many consider The Matrix to be the Wachowskis’ masterpiece, their earlier film Bound is equally deserving of praise. It’s a landmark movie for the LGBTQ+ community, consistently receives high critical acclaim, and boasts fantastic acting throughout.

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2026-06-17 16:06