Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Visually stunning but scary fantasy for older tweens and up.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
9
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 35 parent reviews
Parents say this film is visually stunning and creatively dark, exploring complex themes that are better suited for older children and adults. While some praise its action and positive messages about bravery and friendship, many warn that its intense violence and frightening imagery make it inappropriate for younger viewers, suggesting a minimum age of around 10 or 11 to handle its mature content.
- mature themes
- visual creativity
- intense violence
- age recommendations
- positive messages
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 140 kid reviews
What's the Story?
Based on writer-director Shane Acker's 2005 Oscar-nominated short, 9 is set in a post-apocalyptic world where all that's left of humanity is a band of ragdoll-like beings created by an unnamed elderly scientist. When the final ragdoll, 9 (voiced by Elijah Wood), awakens, he sets off to explore his world. He stumbles upon another creature like him, 2 (Martin Landau), but they're quickly attacked by a mechanical beast, and 2 is taken. 9 joins up with the remaining ragdolls, who are split between those who want to confront the murderous machine to save 2 and those who want to hide from it. After 9 inadevertently powers up an even bigger machine, the group has no choice but to attempt to destroy the killer robot.
Is It Any Good?
Acker is a gifted filmmaker: The movie's visuals are breathtakingly crafted. Everything in a scene -- from the buttons and zippers on the ragdoll creatures' bodies to the stained-glass window in a deserted cathedral -- is amazingly detailed. The pacing is also just right. At only 79 minutes, the suspense is crisply edited, with a couple of moments earning audible gasps from the audience. Based on style alone, this is a brilliant, five-star film.
But story-wise, Acker falls a bit short. The plot is minimalist, and all of the characters -- aged and jaded leader 1 (Christopher Plummer), fiercely brave 7 (Jennifer Connelly), sweet but scared 5 (John C. Reilly), introverted artist 6 (Crispin Glover), and mute librarian twins 3 and 4 -- deserve more depth. We see 9 from his "birth," but the rest of the gang isn't nearly as strongly sewn together. Still, plot shortcomings aside, 9 is a must-see for its impressive, inventive animation.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the movie's violence and scary scenes. Is it any less scary because humans aren't involved, or is it still intense?
What is the movie saying about technology? Is technology portrayed negatively in other films?
Who do you think the movie's intended audience is? Do you think young kids will want to see it?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 9, 2009
- On DVD or streaming : December 29, 2009
- Cast : Christopher Plummer , Elijah Wood , John C. Reilly
- Director : Shane Acker
- Studio : Focus Features
- Genre : Fantasy
- Run time : 79 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence and scary images.
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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