The 9th Life of Louis Drax

Critics Consensus

The 9th Life of Louis Drax is intriguing and visually compelling, but its disparate parts are never truly woven into a satisfying whole.

38%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 66

37%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,946
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Movie Info

After surviving eight near-death accidents throughout his unlucky life, Louis Drax [Aiden Longworth] plunges off a steep cliff on his ninth birthday. While police investigate the cause of Louis' near-fatal fall and the whereabouts of his violent father Peter [Aaron Paul], acclaimed neurologist Dr. Allan Pascal [Jamie Dornan] uses unorthodox techniques to try to tap into the boy's unconscious mind and reveal the truth about the events that led to his condition. But as he's drawn deeper and deeper into the mystery of Louis' seeming ability to cheat death, the doctor finds himself falling for Louis' mother, Natalie [Sarah Gadon]. As new clues emerge in the case, a shocking revelation changes the fates of Louis Drax and everyone around him.
  • Rating:
    R (for some disturbing images and brief strong language)
  • Genre:
    Mystery & Suspense
  • Directed By:
    Alexandre Aja
  • Written By:
    Max Minghella
  • In Theaters:
     limited
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Lionsgate's Summit Premiere and Miramax

Cast

Jamie Dornan
as Dr. Allan Pascal
Sarah Gadon
as Natalie
Aaron Paul
as Peter
Aiden Longworth
as Louis Drax
Oliver Platt
as Dr. Perez
Molly Parker
as Dalton
Barbara Hershey
as Violet
Jane McGregor
as Sophie
Julian Wadham
as Dr. Janek
Adam Abrams
as Doctor (X-Ray)
Beckham Skodje
as Louis Age 2
Terry Chen
as Elliottt
Randi Lynne
as ER Nurse
John Hainsworth
as ER Patient
Goldie Hoffman
as ER Nurse
Nels Lennarson
as Morgue Technician
Anjali Jay
as Macy
Ostara Gardy
as Ellie
Jennifer Derwojed
as Seaworld Trainer
Lina Roessler
as Caitlin
Luke Camilleri
as Alex
Sarah-Jane Redmond
as Helen
Anthony Shudra
as Milo
Alex Zahara
as Navarra
Fiona Vroom
as Receptionist
Iris Paluly
as Pysch Patient #1
David Lloydy Lloyd
as Pysch Patient #2
David Lloydy
as Pysch Patient #2
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Critic Reviews for The 9th Life of Louis Drax

All Critics (66) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (25) | Rotten (41)

  • The film promises a fabulous twist that never comes, and delivers instead some cutesy magical realist touches (lots of interior boy brain stuff) and a palpable lack of chemistry between Dornan and Gadon.

    Oct 10, 2016 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Kevin Maher

    Times (UK)
    Top Critic

  • A dopey psychological thriller that combines elements of "The Sixth Sense" with an overbearing sentimentality, "The 9th Life of Louis Drax" flat-lines from beginning to end.

    Sep 2, 2016 | Rating: 1.5/4 | Full Review…

    Kyle Smith

    New York Post
    Top Critic

  • Works as both a children's movie for adults and a grownup movie for kids, a rare balancing act most young-adult fare can't pull off.

    Sep 2, 2016 | Full Review…

    Michael Nordine

    TheWrap
    Top Critic

  • What might be engrossing in Liz Jensen's source novel is oddly opaque in this screen mishmash, and much of what's meant to be tense or suspenseful is merely awkward.

    Sep 2, 2016 | Full Review…

    Sheri Linden

    Hollywood Reporter
    Top Critic

  • The 9th Life of Louis Drax excels at grabbing you with a steady stream of provocative and ornate images. But to what end, I'm still not sure.

    Sep 2, 2016 | Full Review…

    Bilge Ebiri

    Village Voice
    Top Critic

  • Either you'll be willing to go with some of its wilder visual conceits or you won't. (I was, for the most part.)

    Sep 2, 2016 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Christy Lemire

    RogerEbert.com
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (66)

Audience Reviews for The 9th Life of Louis Drax

  • Feb 19, 2017
    The film has style and imagination that keeps this from being a complete a typical film. The actors are well cast and the conclusion adds further depth but there is something missing that stops this film from being anything more. The pacing is slow and kind of unavoidable with the style and direction but this story doesn't gel like it should. It is similar in the story sense like Horns which also failed to connect the high concept with story elements. I liked the film and found the overall arc interesting, just not a film for everyone.
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
  • Feb 06, 2017
    A great might have been that slipped in the stitching together of its disparate parts. Still interesting although a confusing mash by the forced ending.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
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