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The Ninth Gate

Play trailer Poster for The Ninth Gate R 2000 2h 13m Mystery & Thriller Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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44% Tomatometer 97 Reviews 58% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Dean Corso (Johnny Depp) specializes in tracking down rare and exotic volumes for collectors. Boris Balkan (Frank Langella) has recently acquired a seventeenth-century satanic text called The Nine Gates- a legendary book written by Satan himself. With The Nine Gates in his possession, Corso soon finds himself at the center of strange and violent goings-on. Not only is his apartment ransacked, it appears that he is being shadowed ferociously by others determined to regain the book.
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The Ninth Gate

The Ninth Gate

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Critics Consensus

Even though the film is stylish and atmospheric, critics say The Ninth Gate meanders aimlessly and is often ludicrous. And despite the advertising, there's hardly any chills.

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Critics Reviews

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Brandon Judell IndieWire Sep 14, 2012
Polanski revisits Satan with less than devilish fun. Go to Full Review Jay Carr Boston Globe Jan 1, 2000
The self-immolating and oblivion-bound Ninth Gate is the kind of film that's going to give satanic cults a bad name. Go to Full Review David Hunter The Hollywood Reporter Jan 1, 2000
The film never gets around to illuminating much about the lead character. Go to Full Review Alan Jones Radio Times Nov 11, 2025
3/5
This satisfying gothic chiller has moody atmosphere, a stunning score (from Wojciech Kilar) and sinister unease to spare as it leads the viewer up numerous garden paths to a disappointing hallucinatory climax. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Oct 11, 2025
... full of rumbling menace and deliciously unsettling imagery, but Polanski’s languorous direction and purposefully vague story leaves a film that’s eerie without every becoming thrilling. Go to Full Review Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh Sep 20, 2023
3/5
There are a number of promising themes being explored here that feel entirely fresh for the horror genre, yet none of these nuggets of promise are paid off in fulfilling ways, making for a messy experience with glimmers of hope. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Chris O @RT29633287 4 hrs ago This movie is a classic! I can't believe the low score. Johnny Depp is amazing in this as is the cast. Just watched it a second time. See more Michael C @PokeyMcSmotts 17 hrs ago Not a fan of the score. I feel like it works against itself at times and sounds more whimsical than scary or tense. See more B P @Bradster69 Sep 7, 2026 Not Bad, but Not My Favorite See more Thomas V @Dontcallmedude Aug 26, 2026 A rare treat from Depps typical roles. The supporting cast was an excellent choice as well. This slow burner reminds me of great horror like The Omen, And Rosemary's baby. If you enjoy those movies, you will undoubtedly enjoy this gem. Do yourself a favor and view it multiple times to catch the things you may have missed the first time around. See more Freddy V @RT18427309 Aug 15, 2026 A real turkey. Johnny Depp spends half the movie reading books, and the other half meeting nonsensical characters. See more Richard L @KaneLives Aug 5, 2026 An endless fetch-quest leading absolutely nowhere, The Ninth Gate is extremely heavy-handed, from its stilted plot through exposition-heavy dialogue and overpresent soundtrack, all the while seemingly attempting to present as 'mysterious'. Marred by an uncharacteristically painful performance from Depp and a complete failure to build any tension in spite of its subject matter, its piss-poor ending ensures the only thought going through one's mind after finishing the arduous journey is a hellish 'Why?'. See more Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Roman Polanski

Director

Johnny Depp

Dean Corso

Frank Langella

Boris Balkan

Lena Olin

Liana Telfer

Emmanuelle Seigner

The Girl

Barbara Jefford

Baroness Kessler

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The Ninth Gate

The Ninth Gate (1999) Johnny Depp as Corso and Lena Olin as Liana in Artisan's The Ninth Gate Emmanuelle Seigner as an evasive angelic creature who knows a great deal about The Nine Gates and the people pursuing it in Artisan's The Ninth Gate Frank Langella as Boris Balkan in Artisan's The Ninth Gate Frank Langella as Boris and Johnny Depp as Corso in Artisan's The Ninth Gate Johnny Depp as Corso in Artisan's The Ninth Gate The secret society formed to perpetuate the teachings of The Nine Gates of the Kingdom of the Shadows in Artisan's The Ninth Gate Johnny Depp as Corso in Artisan's The Ninth Gate Director Roman Polanski and Johnny Depp on the set of Artisan's The Ninth Gate View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Dean Corso (Johnny Depp) specializes in tracking down rare and exotic volumes for collectors. Boris Balkan (Frank Langella) has recently acquired a seventeenth-century satanic text called The Nine Gates- a legendary book written by Satan himself. With The Nine Gates in his possession, Corso soon finds himself at the center of strange and violent goings-on. Not only is his apartment ransacked, it appears that he is being shadowed ferociously by others determined to regain the book.
Director
Roman Polanski
Producer
Roman Polanski
Screenwriter
Arturo Pérez-Reverte, John Brownjohn, Enrique Urbizu, Roman Polanski
Distributor
Artisan Entertainment
Production Co
R.P. Productions, Araba Films, Le Studio Canal +, Orly Films, Live Entertainment, Bac Films, Kino Vision, Via Digital
Rating
R (Violence|Sexuality)
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 10, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 26, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$18.7M
Runtime
2h 13m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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