Skip to main content

9 Windows: A Great Mystery...Until It Isn’t (Spoilers)

The premise of 9 Windows seemed like it might bring a fresh spin to the “stalker on the loose” genre. At first, it did. The story builds up the mystery effectively, keeping us on edge as Liza, the main character, tries to figure out who’s killing these people that are all in an online group she watches. The classic “who can you trust?” theme is strong, with Liza second-guessing everyone around her. Given her physical limitation from a recent car accident, which leaves her wheelchair-bound, it ups the stakes considerably. But as solid as this setup was, the film just didn’t deliver all the way through.

Image by IMDb

A Mix of Decent Performances and Muddled Execution

The cast here does a good job, especially given the limitations of the script. Liza’s role, in particular, is solidly acted; she’s sympathetic yet flawed, prickly yet likable. You can feel her vulnerability and resilience, which carries much of the movie’s initial appeal. But as the story derails in the final act, her character arc seems to flatten, with the plot shift making her actions feel increasingly disconnected from the buildup we’ve been following. It’s as though the film tried to stitch together two different scripts and hoped we wouldn’t notice.

Image by Movies and Mania

Character Complexity: Liza’s Flaws and Depth

One of the film’s strongest points is Liza herself. She’s not a typical “good girl” protagonist; she’s an online troll with a rough edge, using sarcasm as a defense mechanism. This bitterness gives her more dimension, and as we watch her handle fear and isolation, her likability grows. Her online life becomes a unique part of the plot, making her a more modern character and lending a psychological depth to her situation. But unlike typical thrillers, her trolling is more than just a quirk—it’s a coping mechanism that reveals her personal pain, which makes her journey more compelling.

Image by IMDb

Tension and Red Herrings: The Guessing Game

In the beginning, the movie successfully keeps us on our toes. Each scene builds the tension slowly, introducing characters who may or may not be suspects. The uncertainty works; it feels like anyone could be a danger to her, and the film gives just enough hints to make each interaction feel charged with suspicion. As a viewer, you're constantly guessing who could be hiding something or who might turn out to be a threat. The movie’s first two acts do well with this, creating a "whodunit" vibe that keeps you hooked.
Image by IMDb

The Reveal That Derails It All

But then comes the reveal. In the third act, the movie shifts suddenly, revealing the stalker as someone we hadn’t even met before. This move is puzzling—it deflates all the suspense and makes the guessing game feel irrelevant. It’s as though the story threw out all its buildup to take a shortcut. For a thriller that does so well at creating a foreboding atmosphere and raising suspicion around everyone Liza encounters, it’s a huge letdown to find out the villain is someone who was never on our radar. Instead of delivering a punch, the reveal falls flat, leaving the movie without a satisfying payoff.

Image by Bloody Disgusting

Final Thoughts

Final Score: 6 out of 10. It’s tough to rate 9 Windows because, for a while, it actually works. The first two acts show real promise, building a suspenseful story with a compelling main character and enough mystery to keep us guessing. The issue isn’t that the third act is “bad”—the scenes themselves are executed well enough—it’s that the plot twist just doesn’t make sense for the story. Had the killer been one of the suspects we’d spent time with, the mystery’s payoff would have been far stronger and more rewarding. As it stands, the movie feels like it pulled a last-minute switch that loses much of the suspense it had built up so carefully.

Pros

  • Suspenseful Setup – The first two acts build up a great sense of dread and mystery, with just enough red herrings to keep you guessing.
  • Complex Protagonist – Liza is flawed but relatable, adding depth to her character and making her struggle feel genuine.
  • Atmospheric Tension – The “stalker thriller” aspect is well-played, creating a closed-off, claustrophobic vibe that works well for the story.

Cons

  • Disappointing Killer Reveal – Unmasking the killer as someone unknown to the story erases the tension built in the earlier acts.
  • Lack of a Cohesive Plot – The last act feels disconnected, almost as though a new writer took over the script.
  • Ending Fizzles Out – Despite the promising start, the movie doesn’t deliver the punch you expect in a good thriller, making the story feel incomplete.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Bagman (2024): A Surprising Slow Burn That Defies Expectations

Going into The Bagman , I was fully prepared to sit through a low-budget gorefest, packed with cheap jump scares and predictable plotlines. But to my surprise, what I got was something much more refined—a slow-burn suspense thriller that outshines many bigger-budget projects. The film uses its time wisely, building tension and setting up a compelling atmosphere, while steering clear of the typical pitfalls that drag many horror flicks down. Image by IMDb Slow and Steady Wins the Race This movie doesn’t rush. It takes its time to develop the story, but does so in a way that keeps you mildly hooked. It’s one of those rare films where the slower pacing actually benefits the narrative, allowing each element to breathe and come into focus. You won’t find rapid-fire scares here, but rather a creeping sense of unease that makes you wonder what’s lurking in the shadows. The way The Bagman sets up its "rules"—through a twisted fairy tale—was pure brilliance. By tapping into something...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Monkey (2025): Don't March to This Drum

I had no idea what I was getting into with The Monkey. I went in more or less blind, but given that it was based on a Stephen King story, I had some hope. With the success of It and even the more mediocre Pet Sematary remake, I figured this could be another solid King adaptation. Man, was I ever misguided. Image by IMDb Aesthetic Confusion: What Year Is It? Right away, something felt off. The film starts in 1999—or at least that’s what it claims—but absolutely nothing in the children’s room or the general set design reflects that era. No Blockbuster VHS tapes, no Nirvana posters, no era-appropriate TV shows, not even the right music. Instead, it all feels straight out of the 80s. Then we meet the boys’ Aunt and Uncle, and we’re suddenly in That 70’s Show . The uncle even has the classic 70’s sideburns. The entire aesthetic is a bizarre mishmash of decades, making it feel like the filmmakers didn’t actually care about immersing the audience in the supposed time period. Image by Th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Fantastic Four: First Steps – A Cautious Beginning That Barely Walks

Going into Fantastic Four: First Steps , I’ll be honest—I was hesitantly optimistic. Marvel's recent track record hasn’t exactly been confidence-inspiring, and I didn’t know whether this film would add to the pile of forgettables or manage to pull something worthwhile from the rubble. The short version? It’s better than what came before it... but that’s a low bar to clear. Image by Disney Better... But That’s Not Saying Much Yes, this is the best Fantastic Four film so far—but let’s not throw a parade just yet. That’s like saying a sprained ankle is better than a broken leg. It’s still not a good time. This isn’t Infinity War or No Way Home . It’s more like a cautiously made, safe middle-ground that never dares to do anything bold or game-changing. Image by Consequence.net Retro Aesthetic Done Right On the positive side, I liked the unexpected characters that popped in here and there, and I thought the alternative 60s timeline worked surprisingly well. The aesthetic was actually ...
Post a Comment
Read more