Watch The Nines

The Nines is a 2007 science-fiction movie directed and written by John August. The film stars Ryan Reynolds, Hope Davis, and Melissa McCarthy. It is an ingenious and mind-bending metaphysical puzzle that combines thrills with brain-bending twists that will leave you scratching your head long after the end credits have rolled. Ryan Reynolds stars as a troubled actor named Gary. Gary is a womanizing drinker who has recently been released from rehab. He has recently wrapped up filming on a new TV show where he portrays a police detective, but the show was abruptly cancelled, and his life is in shambles. As part of his recovery, his publicist, Margaret (Hope Davis), arranges for him to stay in a secluded and modern house in the mountains, which is owned by Leslie (also played by Hope Davis) and inhabited by her husband, his daughter, and their dog.

As Gary struggles to stay sober, he begins experiencing strange things. His cellphone only displays the number 9, he becomes close to a woman named Sarah (Melissa McCarthy), whom he meets in the woods, and he starts seeing strange patterns in his house. Meanwhile, Leslie is working on a strange video game that seems to have a life of its own, and Gary begins hearing voices in his head that may be connected to it.

The Nines is divided into three separate stories, with each story being connected to the previous one in a way that is always clever and surprising. The first story, "The Prisoner," follows the life of Gary, the TV actor that has retreated to the mountains to recuperate. In the second story, "Reality Television," Ryan Reynolds plays a screenwriter named Gavin Taylor, who is writing a pilot for a new show in New York City. The third and final story, "Knowing," takes us back once again to the life of Gary, where we finally understand the meaning of the numbers 9.

Despite its complex structure, The Nines is easy to follow, aided by August's sharp direction and the excellent performances of the three leads, who do a superb job portraying different versions of themselves. Reynolds is outstanding, giving a layered and emotional performance that eschews his usual charm and charisma in favor of emotional transcendence. Hope Davis is equally impressive, playing two different characters, each with a unique personality, and Melissa McCarthy is another standout, providing welcome comic relief while still adding depth to her character.

The movie's visuals are also a highlight, with John August using techniques such as split-screen and multiple exposures to add an otherworldly feel to the film. The atmosphere is enhanced by David Sardy's haunting score that helps to keep the audience on edge.

Overall, The Nines is a highly engaging and thought-provoking movie that explores the concept of identity, reality, and the thin line that separates dreams from reality. It's a highly intellectual movie that is sure to appeal to lovers of meta-fiction and those who are fond of films that use sci-fi elements to explore human conditions.

The Nines might be too cerebral for the mainstream audience, but it is an excellent example of how a low-budget movie can still pack a punch with an engaging story, clever writing, and excellent performances. Fans of Ryan Reynolds will find him in a much different role than he usually portrays, and his willingness to experiment shows that he's more than just a pretty face. Hope Davis and Melissa McCarthy are equally impressive, and August's direction marks him as a talent to watch in the future. All in all, The Nines is a movie that is well worth a watch, and one that stays with you long after the credits have rolled.

The Nines is a 2006 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 52.