The Ninth Gate

Polanski's engaging devil-worship chiller is lush with a rich Gothic atmosphere and style to spare. The storyline is deceptively simple: bookseller Johnny Depp is tasked with tracking down copies of an ancient text believed to have been written by Satan himself. He soon finds himself menaced by dark and mysterious forces and discovers that nobody can be trusted. Although the film's nothing to do with the writings of H. P. Lovecraft, I found its depiction of sinister mysteries and ancient books to be extremely Lovecraftian in tone.

It's a film with plenty of mystery and little solution. If you watch it waiting for a big ending, you'll be disappointed: the pleasure's in the journey rather than the denouement. Nonetheless, Polanski shoots his film just right, and employs a wonderful orchestral score which adds to the atmosphere no end.

Depp's on solid form as the brash, rather unlikeable protagonist and Frank Langella delivers a powerhouse supporting turn. There's also Mrs Polanski, Emmanuelle Seigner, in the role of an ally not dissimilar to the one in Frantic. Bypass the occasional missteps – the jarring use of wirework in one sequence is a big mistake, and there are other cheesy moments – and instead relax and soak up the atmosphere.