What makes this movie rather unique in this day-and-age is to see a horror- occult movie that has very little action. That may turn off a lot of modern-day viewers and critics but I thought it was refreshing.....as long as the story could still keep one's attention, which it did. It also did it with a pretty long movie: 133 minutes. I have played this movie several times for friends and no one has gotten bored.

The attraction is (1) decent acting; (2) some great sets; (3) an involving story; (4) interesting characters and (5) low profanity.

What keeps most viewers interested is simply wondering what is going to happen next in "Dean Corso's" (Johnny Depp) quest to figure out the hidden message. Without giving anything away, this is a classy, solid thriller.....and more importantly, fun to watch.

Polanski's engaging devil-worship chiller is lush with a rich Gothic atmosphere and style to spare. The storyline is deceptively simple: bookseller Johnny Depp is tasked with tracking down copies of an ancient text believed to have been written by Satan himself. He soon finds himself menaced by dark and mysterious forces and discovers that nobody can be trusted. Although the film's nothing to do with the writings of H. P. Lovecraft, I found its depiction of sinister mysteries and ancient books to be extremely Lovecraftian in tone.

It's a film with plenty of mystery and little solution. If you watch it waiting for a big ending, you'll be disappointed: the pleasure's in the journey rather than the denouement. Nonetheless, Polanski shoots his film just right, and employs a wonderful orchestral score which adds to the atmosphere no end.

Depp's on solid form as the brash, rather unlikeable protagonist and Frank Langella delivers a powerhouse supporting turn. There's also Mrs Polanski, Emmanuelle Seigner, in the role of an ally not dissimilar to the one in Frantic. Bypass the occasional missteps – the jarring use of wirework in one sequence is a big mistake, and there are other cheesy moments – and instead relax and soak up the atmosphere.

Dean Corso (Johnny Depp) is an unscrupulous NYC rare-books dealer. He is brought in by Boris Balkan (Frank Langella) who specializes in collecting books on the Devil. He has just acquired the 1666 Aristide Torchia's The Nine Gates of the Kingdom of Shadows from the collector Andrew Telfer right before he committed suicide. Aristide was burned by the Inquisition along with his books except for three surviving volumes. Balkan is convinced that only one book is authentic and hires Corso to find the other two to determine if his is the one. A correct reading of the book's engravings is reputed to raise the Devil. Corso is skeptical especially since Balkan allows him to take his book. Andrew's widow Liana Telfer (Lena Olin) wants to get the book back. There is also the mysterious girl (Emmanuelle Seigner) stalking him.

Director Roman Polanski returns to the supernatural with much less success. The premise of books which could raise the Devil is interesting. However the movie has no tension. Johnny Depp is a pretty compelling lead but the quest lacks the required excitement. The start is pretty good but the movie slowly deteriorates. The movie does have some spookiness like a musty old book store. The ending is so underwhelming that I lost any feelings for this movie.