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Escenas Míticas: Sectas – La novena puerta

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Published on April 7, 2026

A satanic cult could not be absent from the filmography of Roman Polanski, who is renowned for his iconic work about the figure of the devil, “Rosemary’s Baby.” This film even led to a tragic event in his life when his wife, Sharon Tate, was murdered. Interestingly, “The Ninth Gate” is often viewed as a lesser work in Polanski’s filmography, though it has gained a cult status over time.

Initially, “The Ninth Gate” received mixed reviews from critics, with negative opinions proliferating despite winning the Best European Film award and managing to recoup its budget. The film cost approximately $38 million and grossed about $58 million. It is included in this cycle because it is undeniably a defendable piece of cinema.

We are discussing one of the best and most distinctive filmmakers in the industry, responsible for classics such as “Repulsion,” “The Fearless Vampire Killers,” “Rosemary’s Baby,” “Chinatown,” “The Tenant,” and “Frantic.” Given his illustrious career, it is logical to overlook “The Ninth Gate,” although I personally hold it in higher regard now than at the time of its release.

The film has Spanish influences right from its inception, as it is based loosely on Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s novel, “The Club Dumas.” Polanski adapted the story freely, selecting only aspects related to the satanic plot. The title of the novel references Alexandre Dumas, whose works hold significant historical weight, unlike those chosen .

Despite the liberties taken in the adaptation, Pérez-Reverte expressed satisfaction with the final product, describing it as highly entertaining even if it deviated from his book. Notably, Enrique Urbizu, a Spanish screenwriter known for his work in noir and police films, also contributed to the screenplay.

The story draws inspiration from the theory of books containing secrets of power, referencing real bibliographic sources such as the “Quixote” from the 1780 edition, along with nods to figures like Alexandre Dumas, William Shakespeare, and Edgar Allan Poe, as well as genuine works on demonology and occultism.

Some illustrations in the film are inspired of Athanasius Kircher from the 17th century. Throughout the narrative, viewers encounter alchemical symbols such as suns, moons, inverted triangles, and ritualistic postures, most originating from the traditions of ceremonial magic and Kabbalah. However, the books featured in the film were created specifically for this project, with their engravings evolving according to the storyline.

For the lead role, Polanski was certain that Johnny Depp should portray the main character after reading “The Club Dumas,” although he initially had reservations due to the actor’s considerably younger age compared to the character in the novel. Nevertheless, Depp’s insistence quickly dispelled Polanski’s doubts.

Depp shared the screen with Lena Olin, Frank Langella, James Russo, and Emmanuelle Seignier, who happens to be Polanski’s wife since 1989. The couple, which has been together for 36 years, met during the filming of “Frantic,” and she has since appeared in several of Polanski’s projects, becoming his muse in films like “Bitter Moon,” “Venus in Fur,” and “The Ghost Writer.”

As is characteristic of his style, Roman Polanski emphasized atmosphere and setting over everything else. He sought to give “The Ninth Gate” a distinctly European, cultured, and elegant tone while embedding a bleak and dark feeling akin to the terror present in films like “The Omen.”

He insisted on filming in real locations, including Puivert Castle featured at the end, although they, of course, did not set it on fire.

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