The Ninth Gate
By Kat Halstead,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Polanski's occult thriller has sex, language, violence.
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The Ninth Gate
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What's the Story?
In THE NINTH GATE, rare book dealer Dean Corso (Johnny Depp) is hired by collector Boris Balkan (Frank Langella) to find the last two copies of an occult text said to be written with the devil. Traveling to Europe, Dean is pulled into a dangerous web of mystery and deceit, discovering there are others who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the book's legendary power.
Is It Any Good?
Unfolding over more than two laborious hours, this occult mystery is a puzzle that never quite feels complete. Depp's Dean Corso seems at once generic and elusive, stumbling from set piece to set piece as The Ninth Gate's plot takes predictable twists and turns until it wanders into oblivion.
Though widely controversial in his personal life, director Roman Polanski is known for his atmospheric thrillers, and The Ninth Gate is certainly a moody piece, thick with the secrets of the past and an otherworldly aura. There's no denying the film looks and "feels" great. But following in the footsteps of the director's hit satanic thriller Rosemary's Baby, this is full of promise that the story never quite lives up to.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in The Ninth Gate. What impact did it have? What consequences were there? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Most characters were portrayed as greedy and selfish. Can you think of any moments when they showed positive attributes?
Talk about some of the language used. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
How was sex portrayed? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
The film involves two industry figures -- Roman Polanski and Johnny Depp -- who have been at the center of controversial legal cases. How do you feel about separating an artist and their real-life controversy from their work?
Movie Details
- In theaters: March 10, 2000
- On DVD or streaming: July 18, 2000
- Cast: Johnny Depp , Frank Langella , Emmanuelle Seigner
- Director: Roman Polanski
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Artisan Entertainment
- Genre: Thriller
- Run time: 133 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: some violence and sexuality
- Last updated: November 17, 2023
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