9 Souls (2003)

84% of users liked it
(809 ratings)

From acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Toshiaki Toyoda (Blue Spring) comes this poignant tale of nine escaped prisoners hoping to find redemption in an unsympathetic and constantly changing society. Convinced that a secret buried treasure could be the key to finally realizing their lifelong dreams, a mad… More From acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Toshiaki Toyoda (Blue Spring) comes this poignant tale of nine escaped prisoners hoping to find redemption in an unsympathetic and constantly changing society. Convinced that a secret buried treasure could be the key to finally realizing their lifelong dreams, a mad bomber, a violent biker, a pornographer, and six other determined convicts acquire a van and set off to find their fortune. Along their arduous journey, the convicts form a unique bond as they attempt to reconcile tragic pasts and make the best of an uncertain -- but increasingly bleak -- future. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 59 min.
Directed By: Toshiaki Toyoda
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 12, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Jan 25, 2005

Critic Reviews

Brian Thomas, Now Playing Magazine
More like something from the French new wave school than a Hollywood action piece...
Rudy Joggerst, Reel.com
With 9 Souls, his fourth feature film, emerging director Toshiaki Toyoda has created a mesmerizing and complex ensemble drama that's nothing short of a masterpiece.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Bruce B

Pure Asian Trash, If your into having sex with animals this movie is right up your alley. Again TRASH TRASH TRASH. I would give it No Stars. But not sure it would show up on flixster. Had to shut off after 34 Min just wasn't something that I would enjoy watching. 0 Stars from me… More
Pure Asian Trash, If your into having sex with animals this movie is right up your alley. Again TRASH TRASH TRASH. I would give it No Stars. But not sure it would show up on flixster. Had to shut off after 34 Min just wasn't something that I would enjoy watching. 0 Stars from me for the movie, 1/2 star for my time.
Saskia D

Very entertaining, but kind of hard to comment on. I liked the style of filming, and how the characters are portrayed. Pretty difficult to get close to if you have 9 main characters, but it worked somehow. I guess it's about taking control of your own life and consequently your… More
Very entertaining, but kind of hard to comment on. I liked the style of filming, and how the characters are portrayed. Pretty difficult to get close to if you have 9 main characters, but it worked somehow. I guess it's about taking control of your own life and consequently your own death, about seeking what you deserve and bearing the consequences. Only then are you really free. <div style="width:435px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com/servlet/embed/photo/link/11271733"><img src="http://www.flixster.com/servlet/embed/photo/11271733.jpg" border="0"/></a><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com">
El Hombre I

Toyoda is a visual director in the most absolute way possible, and with 9 Souls he sets out to prove that to the world. I was completely thrown by the imagination and photography. It's a hard film to gauge just because there's so much substance underneath the ordinary.… More
Toyoda is a visual director in the most absolute way possible, and with 9 Souls he sets out to prove that to the world. I was completely thrown by the imagination and photography. It's a hard film to gauge just because there's so much substance underneath the ordinary. It's violent, subversive, poetic, touching and awesome. Too many superlatives? Still, the script and the characters are second to none, in regards to this film. With an almost comedic first half in introducing characters, the second half shows real human drama and although it's not an especially violent film, the few moments of action can be quite disturbing. Every fan of asian film should seek it out. <a href="http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/?action=view&current=sky_high.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/sky_high.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Lesley N

9 Japanese prisoners escape and go on the run in a hijacked red van. Very entertaining, though i had problems keeping track of all 9, they did run around so.
Christopher B

Powerful film with a great cast. I have a weakness for prison films, and this one, although they escape in the first act, is still one of the best. Toyoda is a master when it comes to visual storytelling and this film has some striking, memorable, images and scenes. I also have a… More
Powerful film with a great cast. I have a weakness for prison films, and this one, although they escape in the first act, is still one of the best. Toyoda is a master when it comes to visual storytelling and this film has some striking, memorable, images and scenes. I also have a weakness for father/son movies, and this film approaches the theme in a interesting way. Also, Toyoda did an amazing job telling the story of 9 different characters in such a short time very well.