Interested in an imaginative plot twist in a Psychological Thriller that leaves you wringing your hands as the tension builds and compelled to scream at the screen in a futile attempt to offer guidance? Then 9 Windows is the one to see, and Gravitas Ventures rolled it out to VOD on October 15, 2024.
Written and directed by the illustrious Lou Simón (All Girls Weekend 2016, 73 Minutes 2022), there is a lot to be impressed by in 9 Windows. For one, there is a parade of zoomed-in images of hands wielding ominous-looking tools with malicious intent just in the first few minutes. This creates a morbid fascination and an excellent hook that keeps the audience riveted onscreen. It is the same fascination a driver exhibits when riding along the highway and witnessing a bad accident. Besides elevating adrenaline levels, the shocking snippets of film bits keep the eyes busy as the brain feverishly processes the horror of the images.
The second part is the bombardment of visual images that define the main character without any need for dialogue. The camera zooms in intermittently on Liza’s face and her emotions play off the screen like words on a page. Liza’s character development is the source of propulsion for the movie and Diane Garle (Dare To Say Yes 2023, Omni Loop 2024) infuses the character at the onset with a palpable vivaciousness that is infectious. Garle quickly pivots and dons a cloak of lackluster enthusiasm as her character’s life abruptly turns upside down. Furthermore, she does an amazing job of conveying Liza’s harsh demeanor that surrounds a hardcore of survivor guilt. The cinematic scenes underscore that the only outlet Liza has is a community website she monitors with nine open windows. With this, her inner thoughts are audible as her fingers fly on the keyboard to enter vicious comments on feeds without remorse.
The other characters that help Liza transform herself into a formidable ball of sleuth prowess are a physical therapist, detective, and retired FBI agent. Christopher Millan (73 Minutes 2021, Miami Bici 2 2023) portrays Jeff Barrios as an attentive physical therapist who banters with Liza during therapy sessions and is conflicted with the romantic passion he develops for her.
On the other hand, Willian Forsythe (Dick Tracy 1990, The Devil’s Rejects 2005) does an exemplary job of projecting the image of a jaded and overworked detective. The pointed verbal barbs that Lisa spews at him leave the detective unaffected as he patiently explains how it was most likely a hoax. As the murders pile up, he quickly changes course and enlists a retired FBI Agent Larry Thorogood (Michael Paré: Eddie and the Cruisers 1983, Streets of Fire 1984) to join them to forge a formidable team determined to stop the killer in his digital tracks. The tension quickly mounts as Liza finds herself as the next victim and all inhaled breaths are held in anticipation of what is to come.
Despite the deep plunge into the vile heart of a psychopath it is quite inspiring to witness the remarkable turnaround in a person who was destined for a great future. Despite her physical disability and near-death experiences, she can attain love and rediscover her life’s purpose. The inspirational takeaway is that a tragedy does not define your future. Life is what you make of it despite the obstacles encountered along the way. With an ending that wraps up all the loose ends, Cryptic Rock gives 9 Windows 5 out of 5 stars.
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