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6.7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The 9th Guest remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a soft spot for those old-school 'trapped in a mansion' murder mysteries, you'll probably get a kick out of The 9th Guest. It’s snappy, it’s short, and it doesn’t overstay its welcome. If you hate movies where people just stand around talking in formal wear while someone threatens them over a loudspeaker, stay far away. You will be bored to tears.
Honestly, the whole setup is pretty classic. We’ve seen this kind of thing a million times since, but there’s something charming about how blunt this one is. There’s no big, dramatic build-up. You get to the penthouse, have a drink, and then boom—the radio starts playing the villain card.
The dialogue is thick with that 1930s sass. People are constantly saying things like, “My dear, you’re being absurd,” while someone is actively bleeding out in the corner. It’s hilarious. The pacing is weirdly fast, too. People drop like flies before you even learn their last names, which is a bold choice for a mystery.
It’s not as tightly wound as Insurance, but it’s got a meaner streak. Sometimes the actors seem like they’re just waiting for their turn to speak, especially during the big group scenes. You can see the stage-play roots sticking out like a sore thumb. They spend so much time pacing around the living room that I started to wonder if they were ever going to sit down.
I found myself zoning out during the long exposition dumps about who invited who. It’s all very complicated, and honestly, the plot stops mattering the moment someone starts screaming. It’s a movie that’s much better when it stops trying to explain the 'why' and just focuses on the 'who is next.' 💀
The lighting in the final act gets surprisingly moody. It’s a nice change of pace from the stuffy dinner scenes. It’s not exactly a masterpiece of cinematography, but it does the job. You can feel the desperation, or maybe that’s just me being hungry because they keep talking about the dinner they didn't get to finish.
It feels like a relic. It’s not going to change your life, but it’s a solid way to kill an hour if you want something that doesn't demand you think too hard. It’s got that specific, slightly dusty energy you only get from films of this era.
Definitely worth a look if you’re into the genre, but keep your expectations low. It’s just a fun, spooky little puzzle box that breaks a few windows along the way.
IMDb —
1930
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