The 1999 Simulation Thriller: A Look at The Thirteenth Floor
The Matrix may have popularized the idea of modern simulation theory, but another film released just months after it in 1999, The Thirteenth Floor, also had fun with the concept. While often considered a cheap imitation of the Wachowski classic, The Thirteenth Floor boasts an intimidating amount of parallels to The Matrix, but it’s more of an exercise in parallel thought than anything else. The overlap was so strong that both movies saw wide releases within two months of each other, meaning they had similar production schedules, and any thematic overlap is coincidental.
Loosely based on Daniel F. Galouye’s 1964 novel Simulacron-3, The Thirteenth Floor explores concepts similar to those in The Matrix, but takes a pulp noir approach to its premise, making for an entertaining attempt at exposing the simulation, even if it ultimately falls flat and fails to stick the landing.
Despite its best efforts and its endlessly fun neo-noir vibe, The Thirteenth Floor gets lost in the weeds despite how much it has going for it. In my mind, The Matrix handles the same tropes with more grace and in a more timeless fashion that still feels relevant today, while The Thirteenth Floor meanders too long in the minor details that ultimately undermine its own premise.
The Thirteenth Floor is streaming on Tubi.