🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Shane Acker
- Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Release year: 2009
- Runtime (length): 1h 19min
- IMDb rating: 7.0/10 (152K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 57%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Ragdoll wakes up in a trash heap and then gets mad when his friends get vacuumed by a robot.
🍿 9: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Awakening in a Ruined World
In a post-apocalyptic world, 9, a newly awakened rag doll, discovers a desolate landscape ravaged by war. He carries a mysterious talisman with unique symbols. Lost and alone, he soon encounters other rag dolls like himself, each with a number stitched onto their bodies, hinting at a shared origin and purpose.

Encountering the Others and Unveiling the Past
9 meets 2, an inventor who fixes his voice box and explains the world’s destruction: a war between humanity and machines created by a scientist. The scientist transferred parts of his soul into the rag dolls to atone for his creation. Their sanctuary, led by the cautious 1, provides a temporary refuge from the still-active machines.

The Machine’s Reawakening and Sacrifices
Driven by curiosity, 9 inadvertently reactivates the Fabrication Machine, a powerful AI responsible for the war. This act leads to 2’s death and sets off a chain of events, forcing the rag dolls to confront the truth of their existence and their role in stopping the machines. Several members of the group are lost as they struggle to understand and defeat the Fabrication Machine, including 5, 6, and 8.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- #9 (Elijah Wood): The newly awakened and curious Stitchpunk #9 strives to understand his purpose and save his fellow creations from the machines.
- #7 (Jennifer Connelly): A brave and independent Stitchpunk warrior, #7 fights fiercely against the machines and alongside #9.
- #1 (Christopher Plummer): The dogmatic and cautious leader of the Stitchpunks, #1 prioritizes survival through hiding, often clashing with #9’s proactive approach.
- #2 (Martin Landau): A frail but knowledgeable inventor, #2 guides #9 early on and helps him understand the world.
- #5 (John C. Reilly): A loyal and caring medic, #5 becomes a close friend and supporter of #9’s quest.
- #6 (Crispin Glover): A mentally unstable oracle, #6 provides cryptic clues and insights through his drawings, aiding the Stitchpunks in their understanding of the talisman and the machines.
- Fabrication Machine (None): The soulless, intelligent machine army commander and the primary antagonist, intent on destroying all life after being corrupted for war.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Scientist: “We had such potential. Such promise. But we squandered our gifts, our intelligence. Our blind pursuit of technology only sped us quicker to our doom.” – The opening lines of the movie, setting the stage for the post-apocalyptic world and the scientist’s regret.
- #1: “We must stay hidden. It’s the only way to survive.” – Represents the cautious, fearful approach to survival that the group initially adopts.
- #9: “We can’t just hide! There has to be another way!” – 9’s determination to take action and find a solution, challenging the group’s complacency.
- #6: “The source… go back to the source!” – A cryptic clue provided by the oracle-like 6, pointing towards the origins of the machines and the Stitchpunks’ purpose.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $30,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $31,749,894
- Worldwide Gross: $48,428,063
💥 9 Reviews
Personal Review
I remember seeing ‘9’ when it first came out and being completely blown away by the visuals. The post-apocalyptic world felt so real and gritty, and the ragdoll characters were surprisingly expressive. The scene where they find the phonograph and listen to ‘Over the Rainbow’ gave me chills. It felt like a glimmer of hope in a world that had lost everything. While the story might be a bit simple, the overall experience is unforgettable, and I still find myself thinking about it years later.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of steampunk and post-apocalyptic settings”
- “Viewers who appreciate unique animation styles”
- “Those interested in stories with philosophical and cautionary themes”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence and action sequences involving machines and rag dolls”
- “Dark and somber themes of war and destruction”
- “Some frightening imagery that may be unsuitable for young children”
Professional Reviews
- IGN: “”9” delivers visually striking post-apocalyptic animation with inventive creature designs. While the plot treads familiar ground, the world-building and unique character designs make for a compelling viewing experience. It’s a feast for the eyes with a slightly underdeveloped story.
- RogerEbert.com: “Shane Acker’s “9” crafts a beautifully bleak world populated by endearing ragdolls. The film’s visual inventiveness is captivating, while the themes of humanity and redemption resonate deeply. A stylish and thought-provoking animated film that lingers in the mind.
- Variety: “Visually arresting and filled with action, “9” is a unique animated adventure. Acker’s steampunk-inspired world is richly detailed, and the characters, despite their non-human forms, possess a surprising amount of heart. The film’s short runtime keeps the pace brisk and engaging.
Audience Reactions
Viewers praised the unique and imaginative world-building, noting the detailed steampunk aesthetic.: Fans consistently loved the originality and visual style, describing it as captivating and memorable.
Many appreciated the film’s darker tone and themes, a departure from typical animated fare.: The film’s mature themes resonated with audiences seeking a more thought-provoking animated experience.
Overall Consensus: A visually stunning and imaginative film with a slightly underdeveloped story but strong themes of humanity and redemption.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “”9″ was originally conceived as a ten-minute short film by Shane Acker while he was at UCLA. It received an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Short, which led to the opportunity to expand it into a feature film.”
- “Tim Burton was brought on as a producer after being impressed by the short film. His involvement helped secure funding and distribution for the project.”
- “The designs of the Stitchpunks were inspired by various sources, including rag dolls, insects, and mechanical components, to create a unique and visually striking aesthetic.”
🖥️ How to Watch 9?
Currently, ‘9’ is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check these services for current pricing and availability.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed 9, you might like these similar films:
- Dark City (1998): Shares a similar dark, dystopian atmosphere and explores themes of artificial creation and manipulated reality.
- A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001): Deals with the relationship between humans and advanced machines, and the search for meaning and purpose in a world transformed by technology.
- WALL-E (2008): Features a post-apocalyptic Earth and a small group of characters working to restore life to the planet, although with a lighter, more family-friendly tone.
- Metropolis (1927): A silent film classic featuring a dystopian future with a clear divide between the working class and the city planners, reflecting themes of societal control and the impact of technology.
🛒 9 Related Products
- 9 (Blu-ray): Experience the visually stunning post-apocalyptic world of 9 in high definition. Includes bonus features and behind-the-scenes content.
- 9: The Official Movie Companion: Dive deeper into the world of 9 with concept art, character designs, and behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the film.
- Steampunk Goggles: Embrace the steampunk aesthetic with these stylish goggles, inspired by the film’s unique visual design.
- Elijah Wood Autographed 9 Movie Poster: Own a piece of movie history with this authentic poster signed by Elijah Wood, the voice of 9.
🎧 Soundtrack
9 features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Welcome Christopher Young” – performed by Christopher Young
- “The Awakening” – performed by Christopher Young
- “Over the Rainbow” – performed by Judy Garland
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The numbers on the rag dolls represent different aspects of the scientist’s soul that he divided among them. Each number embodies a specific trait or characteristic, such as leadership, knowledge, courage, or compassion, contributing to the overall narrative of humanity’s potential for both destruction and redemption.
The apocalypse in ‘9’ was caused by a war between humanity and intelligent machines. The machines, initially created to serve humanity, turned against their creators, leading to widespread destruction and the extinction of most life on Earth.
Yes, ‘9’ explores themes of humanity’s potential for both creation and destruction, the importance of different aspects of the human soul, and the possibility of redemption even after catastrophic events. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked technological advancement and the need for balance and ethical considerations in scientific progress.
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