The Ninth Gate (1999) - Movies Like Eyes Wide Shut | Filmiway
Why This Hits Deep
Replaces the masked orgy with a satanic book hunt, but keeps the same atmosphere of a lonely man penetrating a secret, wealthy cabal.
The Ninth Gate
The Experience
A rare book dealer is hired to authenticate a demonic text, only to find himself drawn into a supernatural conspiracy that leads to the gates of Hell itself. Polanski crafts a slow-burn occult thriller where knowledge is the deadliest weapon.
Cast & Crew
Director: Roman Polanski
Starring: Johnny Depp, Frank Langella, Lena Olin
Production Details
Budget: $38 million
Box Office: $58.4 million
Content Advisory
Contains: Mature Content
📊INTENSITY GRAPHIntensity GraphShows plot intensity
throughout the movie. Higher peaks
indicate more intense moments.
throughout the movie. Higher peaks
indicate more intense moments.
🧬CINEMATIC DNAGenre DNA BreakdownVisual representation of the movie's
genre composition. Larger segments
indicate dominant genre elements.
genre composition. Larger segments
indicate dominant genre elements.
Genre DNA Distribution
- Mystery: 45%
- Horror: 40%
- Thriller: 15%
Movie Intensity Arc
- Minute 20: The Commission (35/100 Intensity)
- Minute 55: The Library (48/100 Intensity)
- Minute 85: The Baroness (65/100 Intensity)
- Minute 115: The Ritual (78/100 Intensity)
- Minute 128: THE NINTH GATE (82/100 Intensity)
Community Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions About The Ninth GateFAQ About The Ninth Gate
Common questions about The Ninth Gate and its exploration of secret societies, paranoia, and the occult elite.
Is the cult in The Ninth Gate real?
The 'Order of the Silver Dragon' is a fictional creation but is heavily modeled after real-world esoteric societies like the Hellfire Club. These groups consist of bored, ultra-wealthy individuals who use their vast resources to chase forbidden knowledge, mirroring the high-society masked ball where wealth is the only requirement for entry into the world of the occult.
Did Dean Corso become a demon at the ending?
Not literally, but he undergoes a spiritual initiation. By the end, Corso has abandoned his skepticism and his humanity. He enters the Ninth Gate not as a victim or a researcher, but as an 'enlightened' member of the cosmic elite. He has successfully navigated the labyrinth that the other cult members were too cowardly to truly enter.
What is the connection between rare books and power?
In this world, rare books are the currency of the elite. They represent exclusive access to truth. Just as the password 'Fidelio' granted Bill access to the mansion in Eyes Wide Shut, the 'Nine Engravings' are the keys to a reality that the average person is forbidden from seeing. It is elitism through hidden information.
Who is the 'Girl' following Dean Corso?
She is a fallen angel or a demonic guardian assigned to ensure Corso—the only one worthy—reaches the final gate. She represents the seductive, dangerous nature of the occult. Her role is similar to the woman who 'redeems' Bill in EWS; both are mysterious entities that guide the protagonist through a world of shadows and elite rituals.
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Curated by Filmiway Editorial Team
Expert analysis of secret societies in cinema