Directed by Shane Ackner, with Tim Burton as one of the lead producers, 9 is genuinely a movie that has stuck to my mind since I first saw it all those years ago. A terrifying film with an interesting premise and gritty visuals, 9 was a movie well ahead of its time.
Back in 2009, 9 released as a CGI sci-fi film about a strange rag doll-like robot that awakens to a post-apocalyptic world where humans no longer exist. Throughout the film, the robot must face off against terrifying dangers and uncover what truly happened to humanity.
9 is terrifying not because it’s just got some creepy, unsettling visuals; it’s terrifying because it got several elements of what makes post-apocalyptic sci-fi movies great. From lighting, to soundtrack, to story, and action, 9 is largely forgotten today, but my younger-self was terrified and mesmerized by this movie and I still haven’t forgotten about it today.
I would classify 9 as a sci-fi horror film myself, seeing as it doesn’t stop short of being completely terrifying. The official description is not that it’s a horror film, but for what it’s worth, I think horror encompasses more than we usually think.
Plot Summary of 9
The film 9 tells the story of the destruction of humanity after a dictator orders a scientist to create a robot in the name of progress. The robot would be called the B.R.A.I.N. and the dictator decides that the roboto must be turned into a machine to construct war machines.
However, the B.R.A.I.N. has no soul and subsequently exterminates humanity. Just before humanity is completely wiped out, a scientist utilizes alchemy to create nine dolls known as “Stitchpunks” to serve as the last-ditch effort to stop the evil machines. Using a talisman, the scientist places portions of his own soul and transfers the portions to the Stitchpunks, but this ends up killing him.
After some time, the final Stitchpunk, 9, wakes up and heads into the destroyed city where he meets 2 and eventually meets the other Sitchpunks. The go through perils and adventures, with horrifying deaths and sad moments throughout. The film does not stop short from delivering an emotional punch to the gut very often.
The movie explores life and its sanctity as well as the heroism and sacrifice of the Stitchpunks to fulfill the mission they were created to fulfill. It’s mind-bending, but philosophical in a way that works.
Why 9 is So Great
For its time, 2009 was not the best for CGI, and I think everyone old enough to remember can recall just how weird most CGI looked back then. However, 9 was visually spectacular. And it’s in this visual spectacle that we see just how terrifying an animated movie can be.
9’s story is not the most creative, but in a way, sometimes the creativity of the story isn’t the important part; sometimes, the delivery is the important part.
9 presents the philosophical and moral debate about progress and what sacrifices we as humans are willing to make in the name of progress. Could we truly end up destroying ourselves by trying to transcend ourselves? What is the result of too much power in the hands of evil?
There’s a lot to be thought about with 9, but it’s critical reception at the time was fairly lackluster unfortunately. It’s strange to see the figures after all these years, because I remember the movie being a masterpiece of a sci-fi film. Although the dialogue was certainly lacking, I think that it did get something right: Uncanny horror.
What is Uncanny Horror and its Application to 9
When I think of uncanny horror, my mind usually gravitates towards things that are unsettling. Movies that don’t necessarily rely on jumping and flashing gore at the screen to deliver their eerie effect. In my opinion, some of the best horror is the kind that plays on the psychology of a person. The kind that takes a more philosophical route.
9 is a great example of uncanny horror in a movie. Its visuals alone are terrifying, but the idea of the destruction of humanity and the emptiness of a world overtaken by machine is just as uncanny as it sounds.
With 9, although there’s no blood and violence in the way we see often in movies like this today, there was still plenty of death and terror to be discussed. It’s certainly one of those movies that you watch and think about for a while, because it really did sink in as that uncanny horror piece you didn’t expect to enjoy.
Conclusions
If you didn’t get a chance to watch 9 yet, you’re technically nearly 13 years late, but it’s fine. You can always give it a watch, but make sure to actually think about it. Don’t just watch. And if you need to watch it again to really absorb it, go ahead.
I think you’ll find that 9 is a unique gem of its time.
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Zainah Yousef
Zainah Yousef is the author of The Fallen Age Saga and specializes in gaming, social media advice, and reviews. She's been writing all her life and she probably won't stop anytime soon.
