The Matrix should have ended with Neo staying dead, and here's why

Honestly, I know everyone loves that final kiss and the hint that Neo might be back, but the trilogy spent three movies building that his sacrifice was the only way to stop the machines. When he comes back for that last shot, it undoes the weight of the entire third film. It took me like two years of rewatching to finally admit this to myself, starting back in 2021 during a rainy weekend marathon in Portland. The whole point of his arc was choosing humanity over Trinity, and the cyclical nature of the One. Letting him just fade out, with the machines keeping their peace treaty, would have been a cleaner, more honest gut punch. I used to argue the opposite so hard, but now I think the studio caved to test audiences. Has anyone else flipped on an ending they originally defended for years?