Keanu Reeves Sci-Fi Performances That Blew Our Minds

The Matrix defined the word “cool” in 1999 thanks to its trippy visuals and complex story that mixes sci-fi action with philosophy. Reeves plays Neo, a guy who's invited to take a pill that will allow him to discover the truth about the world.

He does, only to learn everyone is trapped inside a massive computer simulation. He turns out to be the Chosen One who can fight back against the system.

It's no exaggeration to say that Reeves is a big part of why The Matrix works. For all the film's dazzling visual effects and frenzied action, it's the actor who grounds the story in something real. As Neo, he communicates the stakes, allowing the audience to become fully immersed in the plot.

The role needs someone who can project both intelligence and charisma, and Reeves fits that bill perfectly.

The hit Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure finds Reeves portraying Ted “Theodore” Logan and Alex Winter portraying Bill S. Preston, Esq. They're dim-witted high schoolers who prefer playing in their mediocre rock band to studying.

After a man from the future visits them to explain their music will one day heal the world, the dudes borrow his phone-booth time machine to travel to different eras, from which they recruit notable historical figures to be part of the history presentation they absolutely must pass.

Reeves does something incredibly special here. Although Ted isn't the brightest bulb in the chandelier, he makes the character endearing. Sincerity radiates from Ted, and he clearly has a good heart. Because of that, we laugh with him, not at him. The comedy would fall apart if we thought Ted was just an idiot. Reeves prevents that from happening.

In The Matrix's 2003 sequel, The Matrix Reloaded, heroes Neo and Morpheus (Lawrence Fishburne) determine the only way to permanently shut the Matrix down is to locate the main system and destroy it.

Neo consults with “the Keymaker,” a man who can guide him through a series of back-door programs that will take him where he needs to go; however, the mercurial figure known as the Oracle tells him his actions may have deadly repercussions for his girlfriend, Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss).

Reeves gets to add a bit more emotion to Neo this time around. The character is determined to bring down the Matrix, yet he also worries about the safety of the woman he loves. The sequel gives Neo more depth, and Reeves maintains very human qualities amid all the dazzling sci-fi action and eye-popping visual effects.

He ensures the story keeps its soul, all while once again becoming a fully credible sci-fi hero.

In the 2008 remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still, a giant, flaming orb is on a collision course with Manhattan. Dr. Helen Benson (Jennifer Connelly) is one of the scientists assembled to address the oncoming threat.

After the orb lands, an alien named Klaatu (Reeves) emerges, claiming to have arrived to save the planet - that doesn't necessarily mean saving its inhabitants, though.

Early in his career, Reeves was criticized for a robotic acting style. His fans may argue this is an unfair criticism, as his inherent thoughtfulness was actually at play. The actor almost seems to be poking fun at the criticism in this role.

Klaatu is supposed to be a little off-kilter, given that he's trying to assimilate on a strange planet. Reeves achieves that skillfully, while also striking up poignant chemistry with Connelly.

Johnny Mnemonic casts Reeves as a futuristic data courier who has information implanted into his head. He then delivers it from one location to another. His current mission is especially dangerous because, if he can't deliver the highly-desired data within 48 hours, it will kill him.

Over the course of the movie, It becomes clear that someone will stop at nothing to access it.

Upon its release in 1995, Johnny Mnemonic was critically reviled and flopped at the box office. The movie is, however, a little more interesting when seen in the rear-view mirror. This is an early example of cyberpunk cinema, made during the earliest days of the internet. It paved the way for other, similar stories to be told onscreen.

In it, Reeves uses his natural introspective quality to good effect. He makes his character someone who plausibly has a head full of stuff he needs to get out.

The 2006 film The Lake House is a romantic drama with a sci-fi twist that reunites Reeves with his Speed co-star, Sandra Bullock. She's a doctor, he's an architect, and they share the same vacation home. The catch is, they're two years apart in time.

The characters fall in love by sending romantic letters back and forth via a magical mailbox in front of the home. From there, the movie questions if and how they might be able to meet face-to-face, despite the temporal difference.

In The Lake House, fans get to see a more tender, sensitive side of Reeves. Not only does he swoon over Bullock's letters, but he also writes some swoon-worthy missives to her, too. The story also features a subplot in which his character feels rejected by his father, who built the vacation home.

Even though the film's plot is fantastical, this is a rare chance to see Reeves playing a normal human, with no comedy or action. It's him and his emotions, and Reeves proves the chemistry with Bullock was no fluke in their earlier hit.