btw The Matrix is a great example of gnosticism in mainstream scifi, if that helps elucidate the concept. Same idea: characters discovering that the world is not really what it appears to be, attaining a secret knowledge as to the truth behind the illusion, and trying to escape the illusory world. The "Architect" in the Matrix can be compared to Ford's character, both demiurges. In Gnosticism, the demiurge is the lesser deity that creates the material world, and is distinct from the "true God." There are many different gnostic religions but this is a general summation of the basic idea.
interestingly enough, WW is like a mirror image of The Matrix -- the roles of the humans and AI are reversed.
Gnosticism is so prevalent in scifi.. just google it, you'll find a bunch of interesting resources
edit: The Truman Show is another gnostic parable.. illusory world created by lesser demiurge (Ford = Architect = Christof), character wakes up to the illusion and tries to escape. You could look at Pleasantville as having an underlying gnostic theme as well. I never made the connection before because I wasn't familiar with gnosticism when I watched these movies ages ago, but was doing some reading on gnostic cinema after responding to you and saw these mentioned. Thought it was interesting enough to share.
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