Nine Movie Review: A Bold Attempt At Mystery And Myth, But Does It Truly Deliver?

Rumours whisper of a clandestine society of women warriors—unseen yet ever-present, lurking in the shadows of our world. Their existence remains a mystery, spoken of in hushed tones, but the evidence of their influence is impossible to ignore.

Set against the backdrop of Ghana, Nine—a Silver Lining Entertainment production—dives deep into a chilling homicide case that unravels a story far beyond the ordinary. What initially appears to be a straightforward serial killer investigation soon takes a supernatural turn, revealing that the victims and their deaths are tied to something far more spiritual than physical.

Produced by Chris Attoh and Angel White, Nine blends crime, mystery, and African mysticism, delivering a suspenseful and supernatural thriller that challenges perceptions of justice and fate.

Plot

The story begins with a child’s nightmare—a vision of a mysterious man returning, only for a terrifying creature to emerge and devour the child’s mother before taking the child captive. Just as escape seems impossible, a formidable group of nine women warriors arrives, beheading the beast and rescuing the child, setting the stage for a battle far beyond the physical realm.

The story shifts to Detective John, a brilliant but troubled investigator drowning in drugs and alcohol, haunted by the unsolved murder of his daughter, Britney. His despair turns to determination when Vivian, one of the nine warriors and a detective, flags a recent homicide case mirroring Britney’s murder. Each victim bears a distinct facial marking, a sinister signature that reappears just as John arrives in Ghana. The latest victim, Aloni, disappears after an altercation with her boyfriend, Jason, over her flirtation with their professor, Russell. Suspicion arises when her roommate, Lauren, accuses Jason of her death, but the truth proves far more disturbing.

READ MORE: Baby Farm Series Review: A Dark Web Of Desperation And Disturbing Charity

Beyond the shadows of crime, the warriors undergo intense training, revealing that their abilities extend beyond physical prowess—they possess supernatural gifts, honed since childhood under the guidance of Mother Warrior. Raised by a secretive order that includes nuns and a reverend father, they prepare for an imminent battle that could expose their existence. Meanwhile, John edges closer to unravelling Britney’s murder, threatening to unveil the Nine and their covert mission.

At the heart of the darkness is Professor Russell, a man burdened by a tragic past and a wife suffering from a mysterious affliction. When Vivian investigates Aloni’s murder, she spots a symbol on Russell’s neck—an exact match to the markings on the victims. A chilling revelation unfolds: three years prior, Russell’s marriage had been sealed in blood, only for his father to poison his wife, branding her as a witch. The curse accelerated her ageing, with only one way to reverse it—a ritual under the next blue moon, requiring the blood of 30 virgins from foreign lands. The final sacrifice, the 30th soul, had to come from her bloodline. If completed, the ritual would grant immortality and unleash an ancient darkness upon the world.

With the blue moon fast approaching and only one victim left, the Nine race against time to stop the grand witch before the ritual is fulfilled. As the truth about Russell’s involvement comes to light, the stakes soar to their highest. The battle between good and evil reaches its climax, leaving one question: Can the warriors prevent the rise of an unstoppable darkness, or will the world succumb to forces beyond imagination?

Cast

Given its supernatural themes, Nine relies heavily on CGI to bring its eerie world to life. The film leans into visual effects to create its nightmarish creatures, mystical battle sequences, and the ominous symbolism tied to the warriors and their mission. The cast’s execution of these elements adds an otherworldly feel to the story, though at times, the CGI struggles to maintain the illusion seamlessly.

READ MORE: 7 Best Nollywood Series To Watch If You Liked ‘Shanty Town’

Nine features an extensive ensemble cast, with a mix of familiar and fresh faces bringing depth to the film’s supernatural narrative. Among the standout performances were Chris Attoh, Rosemary Zimu, Damien D. Smith, Chasity Saunders, Gideon Boakye, Juliet Ibrahim, Kate Henshaw, and Sika Osei.

Language

Nine was performed in English.

Summary

While Nine follows a somewhat predictable trajectory, especially given the norms of the genre, it still manages to throw in a few unexpected twists. Granted, these twists don’t deliver jaw-dropping surprises, but credit must be given for the effort to keep the audience engaged.

The film boldly blends mystical beliefs with a crime thriller framework, a unique approach that is both ambitious and challenging. However, evaluating its execution is tricky—it’s not a near-perfect masterpiece, but it’s also not an outright miss. The effort is visible, even if the results are a bit uneven.

One of the film’s biggest hurdles is the CGI, an area where Ghallywood still struggles. Yet Nine avoids being a total flop in this regard. What truly stands out is its pacing—there’s no unnecessary dragging or filler. Every scene serves a purpose, driving the story forward, a rare strength in many modern films.

Ultimately, Nine is one of those films that leaves you torn. It’s not a flawless execution, but it’s also far from forgettable. It sits in that middle ground—bold, intriguing, and at times impressive, yet leaving just enough room for debate on whether it truly hits the mark.