The Ninth Gate (1999)

Hey, just caught this flick recently. Honestly? I loved it. In my book, it’s way more underrated than people give it credit for. It's actually based on a novel. Curious to see where everyone else stands on it.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0142688/

frozenridge24 said:Hey—I caught this one recently. Honestly? I thought it was great, and in my opinion, it’s definitely one of those underrated gems. It’s actually based on a novel. Curious to hear what everyone else thinks about it.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0142688/

what the actual fuck? what is that even supposed to mean?

underrated*

The movie isn't half bad, but let’s be honest—it doesn't even touch the surface of the novel...
I mean, really, whose brilliant idea was it to cut The Dumas Club from the adaptation entirely?

They ought to film it again, but this time, they should actually do it right...

way better and actually has some atmosphere, unlike that overhyped baby movie from Rozmeri

I have to admit, that scene was incredibly hot...



I mean, the second she lifted that skirt, I pretty much lost all control. xD

Thanks for sharing that with us.

wanderingpanther68 said:honestly, once she hiked up that skirt, I was pretty much done for lol

Brava Ilčić. About time we finally got some 🎉

The movie's alright—decent enough. The acting? Nothing to write home about. I dig the vibe though, especially that blonde actress—her character had this killer charisma, kind of a mysterious edge for that era.

Honestly, I can't remember much about the movie itself, except for the fact that they filmed the whole thing on Rothschild property.

And there was this one creepy guy just cackling away like, "im gona control ya" 🤷

Pretty interesting flick—just rewatched it after ages. Not sure if there's anything else out there hitting that same vibe lately. Honestly, all I can think of right now are Eyes Wide Shut and The Da Vinci Code. I'd love to see them do a reboot as a series, though—maybe they could actually dive into some of those subplots instead of rushing through.

Benjamin Stewart53 said:It’s such an interesting movie—I actually just rewatched it after ages. Honestly, I can’t think of anything else out there that really hits this specific genre. Right now, all I can come up with are Eyes Wide Shut and The Da Vinci Code. I’d love to see them turn this into a series, though—it would be cool to dive deeper into some of those subplots that didn't get enough screen time.

Ugh, I'd rather not... honestly, everything being turned into a series lately feels like pure commercial garbage. Netflix is absolutely flooded with shows, and most of them are even more forgettable than the last, designed specifically just to keep you clicking "next episode." Plus, half of them are just spin-offs or some tired reboot of a universe everyone already knows.

This film is a genuine work of art—it has a clear beginning, a solid end, and it actually leaves an impression on you in just two hours. This one is exactly like that. It might not be the absolute pinnacle of cinema, but it's a standalone piece that doesn't need a reboot.

Frank Chase6 said:Honestly, hard pass... anything they turn into a series lately just turns into commercial garbage. Netflix is drowning in shows, and honestly, most of them are unwatchable—just mindless filler designed to make you click "next episode." Plus, half of them are just spin-offs or some tired reboot of a universe everyone’s already bored of.

A movie is actual art—it has a beginning, an end, and actually leaves a mark on you in those two hours. This one’s definitely like that; maybe it isn't the greatest thing ever filmed, but it's a standalone piece that doesn't need some desperate reboot.

But man, if HBO did it... you know, like that first season of True Detective. It wouldn't even have to be tied to this specific movie, just something involving old books and occult stuff without being straight-up horror.

Polanski—who are we actually talking about here? I might have a few kind things to say regarding his personal conduct, but let’s be honest, hardly anyone in the cinematic world has so consistently, so deliberately, dedicated themselves to Satan as an eternal source of fascination. It shows through the body of work, the subject matter, the casting choices, and even the sheer *aberratio ictus* of misfortune—those tragic accidents that seem to follow him, corrupting the people in his orbit while he refuses to ever abandon his dark little hobby.

We’re still sitting here discussing the negative space, the gorgeous cinematography, that haunting atmosphere, and the score. The casting is rock solid, and the way the story unfolds is just masterfully paced. It’s the kind of film that gives you a genuine reason to sit down before the screen, to submerge yourself in it, and walk away feeling a bit conflicted—leaving you with those lingering thoughts and foundational ideas that stick with you long after the credits roll. There are a few moments early on where the dialogue feels a bit mechanical, but they aren't enough to weigh the whole thing down.

Once the introduction settles, the pacing becomes quite smooth; it remains an enjoyable experience, even upon a second or third viewing.

The film is practically saturated with Masonic symbolism—ranging from that initial scene with the hanged man, to the Masons turning the world upside down, all the way to the more explicit ritualistic folklore. Throughout it all, Chase serves as the anti-hero from the very first minute.

He lives for nothing more than the paycheck, profiting off the ignorance of his clients; he’s skilled at skimming the cream right off the top before his colleagues can even blink, which doesn't exactly make him anyone's favorite companion.

It is precisely because of this lack of moral fiber that the Americans hire him to track down the book, while Chase moves forward without any real obsession, driven by nothing but one fee after another. He’s on the verge of walking away out of pure self-preservation, so the only reason he keeps heading toward potential doom is the promise of a higher payout.

And so, Chase—who lacks a defined sense of evil within himself, even as the diabolical types surrounding him scramble, clawing at one another to get their hands on the true book—finds himself standing at the final threshold of decision. The omens along the path and the lure of the book itself are incredibly compelling; they don't age. The Ninth Gate will remain a massive point of discussion for first-timers, and for those who know better, it’s something you’ll undoubtedly watch again.

Jack Cook7 said:I don't remember much about the movie other than the fact that it was filmed on a Rothschild estate.

Famous for its most decadent masquerade balls and the debauchery that follows.

Zelenko; said:I love the atmosphere of the film and the actress playing the blonde—her character was incredibly charismatic for the time, possessing such a certain mystery.

Polanski's wife remains a topic of conversation to this day.

...

Hands down, his best role ever! On the flip side, Jack Sparrow is easily his worst—it’s just remarkably bad. I guess Depp’s signature toxic cynicism and self-indulgence suit him much better than these forced roles playing charming buffoons, which he doesn't really have the natural disposition for anyway. His face is serious, and not particularly expressive; frankly, the goofing around and caricatures just don't fit him at all.

Twenty years ago, I would have dismissed this as just another mediocre flick. But looking at the absolute garbage Hollywood is churning out lately? This thing looks like a masterpiece 😁

I didn't quite wrap up my thought when I was typing that last post.

If we are operating under the assumption—let's call it an established premise—that Satan lacks any real awareness of who actually inhabits the human vessel due to our own limited consciousness, then it stands to reason that Chase could also be Lucifer himself... simply making his way back home at the end of the day.😉

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Kenneth Allen said:I didn't even finish my thought in that last post.

If Satan—assuming we're talking about the established archetype here—doesn't actually know who's inhabiting a human body because our consciousness is so limited... then maybe Chase could also be Lucifer himself, just heading back home in the end.😉

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Isn't the feminine side inherently demonic? Or is she just some secondary, fallen angel type thing?

EDIT: So, I was watching another Polanski flick on PBS yesterday—Venus in Furs—and his wife is in that one too. It's this erotic drama where the only two characters are theater people, plus some actress who crashes an audition. Who knows, maybe there's a connection... maybe that mysterious girl in The Ninth Gate is actually the Roman goddess Venus.

Benjamin Stewart53 said:Isn't she a demon in disguise? Or just some minor, half-baked angel playing a side role?

In the film, she’s explicitly framed as his protector—and I mean that in a very specific sense. Corso isn't just some guy; he’s "The Chosen One," and in these kinds of narratives, the chosen always come with guardians—whether they're guiding you toward salvation or dragging you into the abyss. Given how much these writers lean into heavy-handed dualism, it's all there in the subtext. If you look at those final pages regarding the Torchia/Delomelanicon texts—which serve as a sort of spiritual map for the entire American landscape here—there is this unmistakable imagery of the Whore of Babylon, which mirrors her role as his keeper.

It’s essentially her final act before he reaches that ultimate threshold of realization or entry—this idea that he has to undergo one last initiation with her.

The whole revelation of the Whore of Babylon is kept shrouded in mystery, so the actual understanding of it unfolds incrementally through various descriptions—really, it just depends on how much the person studying it is actually capable of grasping.

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Kenneth Allen said:She’s clearly positioning herself as his protector in the movie
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Honestly, I'm having a hard time following your train of thought through these posts, but regardless, the movie is an absolute classic.
I find myself putting it on quite often, just to set a certain mood, you know?
Let's just skip the deep philosophy about the "why" and "how"
😉