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The Nines

The Nines

Y9u never kn9w when y9ur number is up.

2007100 minRMidcredits score: 50th percentile of all films
Director
John August
Starring
Ryan Reynolds, Melissa McCarthy, Hope Davis, Elle Fanning

A troubled actor, a television show runner, and an acclaimed videogame designer find their lives intertwining in mysterious and unsettling ways.

Where to watch

Where can I watch The Nines?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists The Nines streaming on Howdy via Prime Video and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about The Nines?

The Nines earns 5 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Before they were famous.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is The Nines worth watching?

The Nines' Midcredits score is the 50th percentile of all films, from 45K ratings across 6 sources. 52% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

50th percentile

Better received than 50% of films

49th percentile among Drama49th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)45th
Approval (how many liked it)55th

60 /100

45th percentile of all films

43rd percentile among Drama45th percentile among 2000s

Critics 52 · Audience 61

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.4 — solid but not unanimous.

52% liked it

55th percentile of all films

54th percentile among Drama52nd percentile among 2000s
52% rated it 7–1048% rated it 1–6

Critics 63% · Audience 61%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 1 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

92nd percentile

45K ratings across platforms

94th percentile among Drama87th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 5% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$24K
Domestic gross$63K
Worldwide gross$131K

37th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A three-part metaphysical puzzle with strong lead performances and ambitious but divisive ideas about creation and reality.

Fans praised

  • Ryan Reynolds' dramatic range across three distinct roles
  • Original high-concept script exploring metaphysical themes
  • Melissa McCarthy's surprising dramatic depth and chemistry with Reynolds

Detractors panned

  • Pretentious, self-indulgent pseudo-philosophy that doesn't earn its revelations
  • Abrupt tonal shifts and disjointed structure, especially the middle segment
  • Underwhelming payoff after extended confusion

What stands out

Acting75

Reynolds shows dramatic versatility; McCarthy and Davis deliver strong supporting turns

OriginalityDivisive75

Derivative of Kaufman/Lynch but genuinely novel high-concept premise

Dialogue65

Witty and intelligent in parts, overwritten in others

Plot and storyDivisive55

Ambitious puzzle-box structure with rewarding but divisive metaphysical reveal

CharactersDivisive55

Writing prioritizes concept over character depth

Emotional impactDivisive55

Intellectual rather than heartfelt; few genuinely moving moments

Pacing50

Uneven momentum with a draggy middle segment

EndingDivisive45

Explanations feel either too spoon-fed or insufficiently earned

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 7 points apart
  • Critics vs users 6 points apart
  • US vs non-US 8 points apart

Watch experience

What is The Nines like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Mind-bender: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want a puzzle and can give it your full attention.

It swings between moods and leaves you thinking. Skip it when you can only half-watch or you want every question answered.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Your full attention and a taste for open questions.

What it feels like

Mind-bender.

Moods
TenseContemplative
Heaviest: throughout
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Cold and cerebral · 4% of films: Detached and precise; keeps the viewer at arm's length.Dreamlike · 2% of films: Logic gives way to atmosphere and association.
The answer rests on this: Told as
Nonlinear · 6% of films: Events shown out of chronological order.Chaptered · 1% of films: Told in titled chapters or clearly separate parts.
ToneThe film plays its metaphysical puzzle with a straight face, treating its existential questions with sincerity while allowing the mystery to unfold naturally.
The rideA persistent low-level anxiety and slow-burn puzzle runs through all three segments, with the emotional weight distributed evenly rather than peaking late.
StructureThe story is presented in three titled chapters that are not in chronological order, with overlapping characters and events that interconnect across the segments.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Thinking.

Thought-provokingHaunting · 14% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe film's metaphysical puzzle and tragicomic conclusion linger, inviting continued reflection on the nature of reality.
How it ends · evidence
Ambiguous endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MysteryEnigma
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7% (this title): Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2% (this title)
  • No archetype 22%

Mystery: A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered. · Enigma: The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).

7% of films fit this archetype

with Rebirth underneath

Why this archetypeThe film is driven by the central question of what is real and the protagonist's hidden identity, revealing he is a god-like being creating and living in multiple parallel universes, ultimately returning to his true form.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfIdentitySelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% (this title) · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Identity · 14% of filmsPurpose · 9% of filmsTruth · 4% of films
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Cosmic stakes: Consequences reach beyond the world.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores the nature of self by placing its protagonist across multiple roles—actor, writer, game designer—who each discovers they are fragments of a single being questioning what is real.
StanceThe film questions the nature of identity and reality without settling on an answer, presenting its metaphysical dilemma as a riddle to be pondered rather than resolved.

The world

ContemporarySuburbanDomesticInstitutionalMagical realism
Orchestral modernAmbientSupportive music · original score · Alex Wurman
Settinga Los Angeles of rented houses, TV studios, and forest roads where reality frays
MusicA sparse, moody score that underscores the dreamlike instability of the narrative.

Content guide

Is The Nines okay for kids?

R

The Nines is rated R: “Rated R for language, some drug content and sexuality” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (33/100), sexual content at mild (28/100), language at intense (70/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (40/100) and frightening material at moderate (37/100). Its violence, language, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 6 other countries
  • UK15
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany16
  • Brazil12
  • Greece16
  • Netherlands16
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (7 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 22%
Profanity
Intense
too few votes to rank (9 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
too few votes to rank (9 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (50 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does The Nines have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in The Nines?

Cast

Ryan Reynolds
as Gary
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Melissa McCarthy
as Margaret
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Hope Davis
as Sarah
Elle Fanning
as Noelle
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
David Denman
as Parole Officer
Octavia Spencer
as Streetwalker
Ben Falcone
as Ben Falcone
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Dahlia Salem
as Dahlia Salem
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
John Gatins
as John Gatins
Lorene Scafaria
as Game Night Guest
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like The Nines?

Movies like The Nines include Ruby Sparks (2012), Flashback (2020) and Knight of Cups (2015). Of the 12 closest matches, most are puzzle films, and several are magical-realist films.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

10 of these 12 share its praise for originality. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with The Nines?

77 other films share the rarest tag below, follows: god. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.