Nine Days

I love movies about heaven and hell, whether it’s What Dreams May Come, Deconstructing Harry, and of course, I can’t forget to mention Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey. So this film automatically appealed to me. Anything that tries to explain the unexplainable is right up my alley. Winston Duke and Benedict Wong are great as the supernatural dream team who gets to help populate the world. Duke’s character is difficult to love at first, but as his walls start to come down, you see the humanity in this heavenly being. Everyone’s performances are thoughtful, emotional, and mind-expanding. The real crown jewel of Nine Days, however, is Zazie Beetz. Emma is the most inquisitive and outgoing of all the potential Earthlings. She even helps turn around Will’s stoic, depressed nature a little bit here and there.

“…accomplished the seemingly impossible task of presenting a completely original idea through film…”

Shot in Utah, which has its fair share of otherworldly landscapes, Nine Days puts you right into this world beyond our own. Edson Oda’s script is incredible. It asks so many philosophical questions without being preachy or pedantic. It successfully reminds us how precious all of our lives are, which is no small feat. It also calls into question humanity’s voyeuristic tendencies and our worldwide obsession with reality television.

I can’t wait for everyone to see Nine Days. Edson Oda has accomplished the seemingly impossible task of presenting a completely original idea through film, and for that, I applaud him. This is his first feature film, which is incredible, considering how polished it is presented. I can only imagine what kind of greatness he will achieve after this. I’m greatly looking forward to finding out.

Nine Days screened at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.