Keanu's New Frontier

In a dimly lit room, Keanu Reeves and speculative fiction writer China Miéville find themselves in a passionate discussion. The two recently collaborated on The Book of Elsewhere, a novel Miéville authored, inspired by BRZRKR, Reeves's successful comic series. This joint effort brings a philosophical depth to the visceral, violent world of BRZRKR, digging into alternative histories and the existential struggles of an 80,000-year-old immortal.

As the conversation steers toward their literary preferences, Miéville clarifies a past remark dismissing “escapist fantasy,” humorously calling his younger self a "snotty young punk." Though he still favors realism, he insists readers should find their own joy in literature. Meanwhile, Reeves fondly recalls fantasy icons like Aragorn and Gandalf, admitting he’s “not really” into Bilbo Baggins but enjoys “a good, you know, elf.”

The discussion grows reflective as they explore themes of violence in fiction. For Miéville, concerns about fictional violence translating to real-world aggression feel misguided. “It’s so obviously the case that enjoying exaggerated cultural depictions of violence doesn’t make one violent,” he asserts. Reeves, with his trademark reflective tone, wonders aloud about society’s diverse perceptions of violence and highlights the contrasting gentleness found within BRZRKR.

Their project also unearths profound themes of melancholy, connecting both Reeves’s character, Unute, and perhaps Reeves himself. Reeves has spoken openly about his contemplative outlook, mentioning, “I have a taste for the melancholic.” The novel, filled with echoes of Miéville’s “New Weird” aesthetic, promises to take readers into an even stranger and introspective world than the comic.