Keanu Reeves' Neo is the long-awaited savior of mankind in The Matrix. What powers does The One possess when he's plugged into the simulation?

Neo's awesome power goes way beyond bending spoons in The Matrix. Released in 1999, The Matrix is split into two distinct planes of reality - the impoverished, dystopian real world, and a giant simulation that mankind experiences simultaneously, blissfully unaware of the illusion. The lucky (or unlucky, depending on your view) few who awaken from the dream-world can voluntarily plug back in, and their awareness means rules of physics within the Matrix can be broken. Throughout the trilogy, the likes of Morpheus and Trinity perform gravity-defying leaps and impossible acrobatics that'd have them crumpled in a heap were they to attempt the same in Zion.

While any Redpill can bend the Matrix's rules with enough training, there are limits to what the average Zionite can achieve. However, those limits don't apply to The One. As part of the Machines' delicate formula to make humans accept the Matrix, a designated savior figure was required, and the recipient of this programming is known as The One. Keanu Reeves' Neo is The One in the timeline of the Matrix trilogy, and that position affords him far greater influence over his digital surroundings.

Superhuman Strength

Neo's ability to manipulate the Matrix has many applications, and one of the most common is increased strength, far beyond that of the average Redpill. Neo's punches take chunks out of solid walls, and can hurt Agents like no other human from Zion can. In The Matrix Reloaded, Neo's strength even rips concrete straight from the ground.

Super Speed (Bullet Time)

In addition to his strength, Neo can move at incredible speeds, both in terms of his reflexes, and his overall movement. After awakening the powers of The One, Neo's quickness outmatches Smith's considerably, and his rapid dodges are sometimes presented using The Matrix's famous bullet-time effect. Neo's speed was one of the first remarkable traits his peers noticed during training.

Flight

One of the key powers that separates The One from other Redpills is supersonic flight. Used throughout the trilogy, Neo can travel across entire countries in mere moments.

Near-Invulnerability

Trinity and Morpheus can take some punishment, but both could still be killed by a single bullet, and dying inside the Matrix comes with dire consequences. Fortunately, Neo's endurance as The One is far higher. He gets slammed from a great height, shot by Smith, and much more, but proves extremely difficult to kill. Even so, Neo can die - as evidenced when a sword blow blocked by his hand draws blood.

Matrix Vision

As The One, Neo possesses a special form of sight akin to heat or night vision, but sensing digital constructs and code instead of body temperatures. Neo sees the green of Matrix itself, as well as the programs within it, while other Redpills merely view the Matrix through ordinary eyes. Neo retains this unique ability even after losing his physical sight.

Telekinesis

Perhaps the most impressive benefit that derives from The One's manipulation of Matrix physics is telekinesis. Any bullet or explosive aimed Neo's way (inside the Matrix, at least) can be repelled by The One's superior ability to deny reality. Indeed, the first time Neo performs this trick in battle, he simply says "no" to Agent Smith's bullets and they obediently halt in midair.

Phasing

Using the same reality-bending principle, Neo can phase through other digital objects and programs occupying the Matrix. Not only does this mean The One can pass through walls and save himself a few seconds while everyone else uses the door, but Neo can also phase into the likes of Smith, destroying his enemies from the inside. Conversely, Neo can pass his hand into an ally's body to restart their heart, as demonstrated with Trinity.

Precognition & Awareness

In addition to his code vision, Neo's status as The One means a closer relationship with the Matrix itself. Neo can sense changes, incoming agents, and potential dangers far more acutely than his team mates. The Matrix's Neo also displayed a certain level of precognition in The Matrix Reloaded when he envisioned Trinity falling to her death in the future. The Oracle refers to this power as "the sight" but reveals that Neo can only see the decisions he understands.

More: Who Is The Matrix 4's Villain? Every Candidate Theory Explained