The film proved that the Wachowskis could do more than just write a good script (they had previously penned Assassins ); they could command a set, craft a visual identity, and extract brilliant performances from their actors. While The Matrix would give them the budget to change the world of science fiction, Bound remains a pristine, flawless gem in their filmography—a sexy, bloody, and brilliant masterpiece that still thrills.

Violet knew Caesar’s fatal flaw: his extreme paranoia and his fear of his mob superiors. The Separation:

Bound established the Wachowskis as visionary filmmakers, paving the way for their massive success with The Matrix three years later.