Overview
A man's struggle with impotence leads to an unexpected journey of love and self-discovery.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- intimate
- melancholic
- austere
- quiet evening
- arthouse film night
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Roman's impotence becomes the central source of shame, fear, and marital upheaval.
Roman encourages Hanna to seek another partner, forcing both spouses to confront the consequences of that proposition.
The film concentrates on the couple's private life and emotional reactions in an understated, observational style.
Artur Barciś appears as the Cyclist, a recurring enigmatic figure associated with the Decalogue cycle.
Films like Decalogue IX, and why
Scenes from a Marriage
psychological marital drama focused on sexual jealousy, emotional insecurity, and corrosive intimacy
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
austere european relationship drama examining desire, betrayal, and moral uncertainty
In the Mood for Love
quiet, psychologically intense drama about infidelity, vulnerability, and fractured trust
Movie Details
- Director
- Krzysztof Kieślowski
- Release Date
- 1989-05-16
- Runtime
- 58 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (134)
Cast
- Ewa Błaszczyk
- Piotr Machalica
- Artur Barciś
- Jan Jankowski
- Jolanta Piętek-Górecka
- Katarzyna Piwowarczyk
- Jerzy Trela
- Małgorzata Boratyńska
- Renata Berger
- Janusz Cywiński
Common questions
- What is Decalogue IX about?
- A marriage buckles under the pressure of sexual impotence when a husband invites his wife to seek intimacy elsewhere.
- What is Decalogue IX like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Decalogue IX as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Decalogue IX violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Decalogue IX.
- Which films are like Decalogue IX?
- Films with a similar feel include Scenes from a Marriage, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, and In the Mood for Love.
- How long is Decalogue IX?
- Decalogue IX runs 58 minutes.
