Roman Polanski’s ‘The Ninth Gate’ Brings Johnny Depp Streaming Success on Tubi

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As a seasoned movie buff with a penchant for uncovering hidden gems, I must admit that revisiting “The Ninth Gate” has been an intriguing journey. This 1999 cult classic, now resurfacing on Tubi after years of obscurity, is a testament to the enduring allure of controversy and the passage of time.

I vividly remember watching this film when it first released, and although I was drawn in by its stylish visuals and star-studded cast, I couldn’t help but feel a bit underwhelmed by the convoluted plotline and unsatisfying ending. It’s interesting to see that the movie has found new life amidst the resurgence of Johnny Depp’s career and the ongoing saga surrounding Frank Langella.

From a critical perspective, I have always respected Roger Ebert’s insights, and his two-star review resonates with my initial thoughts on the film. However, I find myself revisiting it now not just for its story but also for the drama that unfolds behind the scenes. The controversies surrounding Roman Polanski, Johnny Depp, and Frank Langella have added layers of intrigue to this already enigmatic movie.

In a way, “The Ninth Gate” is like an occult book itself – it’s not always easy to decipher its true nature, but once you delve deeper, you uncover hidden secrets that make the experience all the more captivating. As for my joke, here it goes: I guess you could say that watching “The Ninth Gate” is like opening the gates to a box office failure turned cult classic – it’s a devil of a good time!

As a fervent admirer, I’m thrilled to share my recent discovery: “The Ninth Gate” (1999), a supernatural thriller that seems to have slipped under the radar for many moviegoers. Remarkably, this occult film, spearheaded by the enigmatic Roman Polanski, has climbed up the streaming charts just 12 days after its release, indicating a renewed interest in this somewhat controversial production.

Of course, it’s worth mentioning that the film’s director, Roman Polanski, is known for his polarizing reputation, and the cast includes Johnny Depp – who needs no introduction, given the notorious court case – as well as Frank Langella, whose career took a turn following allegations of inappropriate behavior on the set of Netflix’s “The Fall of the House of Usher.” But let’s not dwell on that here.

25 years ago, the movie “The Ninth Gate” presented a stylish yet empty horror tale featuring Johnny Depp portraying Dean Corso, an uncommon antiquarian book dealer. He was recruited by Boris Balkan, a wealthy collector played by Langella, to verify an enigmatic book titled The Nine Gates of the Kingdom of Shadows. This book is said to possess the power to summon the Devil, and as Corso delves deeper into his investigation, he encounters a whirlpool of occult rites, killings, and deceit, revealing that there are many who would risk everything for such dark powers.

Despite an exhilarating premise and Polanski’s distinctive flair evident from films like “Rosemary’s Baby”, the intricate plot and unsatisfactory conclusion of “The Ninth Gate” failed to garner significant success at the box office, even with Johnny Depp in the main role. At that time, Depp hadn’t yet donned the swashbuckling Jack Sparrow in Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean”, but his previous achievements were substantial enough for his performance in “The Ninth Gate” to be generally considered a letdown.

Critically speaking, renowned critic Roger Ebert didn’t find the movie’s final product satisfying, only awarding it two out of four stars in his review. He pointed out several issues with the film in his critique.

As a seasoned cinephile with over three decades of film-watching under my belt, I must confess that I approached “The Ninth Gate” with high expectations, given its reputation as a satanic thriller. However, much to my disappointment, the movie failed to live up to its promising opening title sequence and fell flat for me throughout its duration.

Initially, I held onto hope during the first hour, believing that perhaps the story would pick up steam, but alas, it was not meant to be. It wasn’t until well into the film that I came to realize that “The Ninth Gate” wouldn’t deliver on its potential. The experience left me feeling let down, as I had hoped for a gripping and suspenseful tale that never quite materialized.

‘The Ninth Gate’s Now-Controversial Team

Over time, certain segments of the entertainment world can find their reputations undergoing peculiar transformations, often due to exposures about the production crew or actors. In the case of Roman Polanski’s films, the director has frequently been entangled in controversy, and his legal troubles and status as a fugitive following a conviction for having sexual relations with a minor have kept him under public scrutiny for decades. Despite Polanski’s contentious legal and moral issues casting shadows over much of his work, there are those who argue that one should eventually distinguish the artist from their actions, leading to continued interest in movies like “The Ninth Gate“.

Initially, the cast of the movie wasn’t as contentious as its director. However, this dynamic has shifted over time. In recent years, Johnny Depp’s career has faced a downturn due to his high-profile defamation trial stemming from his volatile relationship with Amber Heard. Despite making a low-key comeback in the industry, many still find it hard to view him favorably again. Similarly, Lawrence Olivier, once revered as one of the finest actors of his generation, saw his reputation suffer when he was abruptly dismissed by Netflix over allegations of inappropriate behavior during the filming of Mike Flanagan’s “The Fall of the House of Usher”.

The Ninth Gate‘s presence on Tubi’s lineup indicates that viewers often prioritize the movie itself over the individuals involved when choosing something to watch, especially if they’re not paying. An actor might make headlines for negative reasons for a short while, but it usually takes just a bit longer for those incidents to be completely forgotten by the public.

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2024-12-31 16:32