Other Theories: Neo-Smith is the One

This theory is written by a message board user named Mobil_Ave_Neo.

Now how was Smith destroyed?

He could only be destroyed if Neo was too, because Neo is not the One. Both Neo and Smith together are the One.

The Prophecy from the Oracle was never a lie. It was the truth! But only when you consider Neo and Smith together to be the One. A few quotes from the Prophecy (from Morpheus and the Oracle):

  • The One would be able to change whatever he wanted, to remake the Matrix as he saw fit. Neo cannot change whatever he wants. He can only break the rules and move a few objects (like bullets and weapons). Smith however can change things like the weather.


  • The Oracle prophesized his return and that his coming would hail the destruction of the Matrix. Smith will cause the destruction of the Matrix. So if you count in Smith as being part of 'the One', then this is also true.


  • Oracle said in M2, "Then Zion will fall. Our time is up. Listen to me, Neo. You can save Zion if you reach the Source." When we see both Neo and Smith as 'the One', then this is not a lie either. Thanks to Neo both he and Smith returned to the Source: the real "One" returned to the Source. And what happened? Zion was indeed saved, like the Oracle said!


  • The Oracle also says this about Smith: "He is you!" Then Smith is "'the One" too, only he is Neo's Freudian destructive side.

My Comments

One objection I have to this theory comes from the fact that the prophecy came true whether we accept this theory or not (see Oracle: True Prophecy), while this theory seems to assume that the prophecy was a lie unless this theory is taken to be true.

An even bigger objection I have comes from the fact that the Oracle prophesizes the return of the One. That would mean that Neo's predecessor combined with another virus to form the previous "real One." But having previous Smith viruses presents a contradiction (see Debunked: Previous Smith Viruses).

Whether this theory is true or false, I feel this theory is so fascinating that it merits its own page. It is at least worthy of consideration as a second symbolic layer on top of the actual plot.

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