Jul. 15, 2021|United States|124 Min.|R
Genre: Drama;Fantasy
Description: “Nine Days” is a thought-provoking 2021 film that follows Will, an arbiter tasked with judging souls before they are born into the world. Living in solitude within a desert landscape, Will conducts interviews with candidate souls, deciding who deserves the chance at life. His sole companion is Kyo, a soul who remained after failing to be selected and now assists him. Will spends his days observing the lives of individuals he previously chose, displayed on multiple television screens. His favorite is Amanda, a 28-year-old violin prodigy whose sudden death in a car accident deeply affects him.
As Will struggles with Amanda’s loss, new candidates arrive over nine days to compete for the vacancy left by her passing. Through a series of interviews and observations, Will evaluates their potential for life. He is particularly drawn to Emma, a candidate who exhibits remarkable empathy and curiosity despite her apparent disinterest in the selection process. Most candidates are dismissed for traits like self-consciousness or an inability to respect suffering. Before they vanish forever, Will recreates meaningful life experiences for them, such as walking on a beach or biking through a city.
Kyo, seeking to help Will cope, introduces him to another arbiter who selected Amanda’s cousin. She shares a tape revealing Amanda’s suicide note, shedding light on her tragic death. Despite Kyo’s efforts, Will remains haunted by Amanda’s decision, replaying moments from her life in search of answers.
Cast director: Edson Oda
Cast actor: Winston Duke, Zazie Beetz, Benedict Wong, David Rysdahl, Arianna Ortiz, Tony Hale, Bill Skarsgård, Perry Smith, Geraldine Hughes, Brandy Pitcher
Original name: Nine Days