The Number 23

This is a Joel Schumacher film, which gives it a fifty/fifty chance of being decent. Unfortunately for the viewer, “The Number 23” falls into one of the Schumacher lemon piles. Although I would not attribute the direction alone to this film’s failing; trying to make a good film with a flawed story cannot be an easy task. In fact, it was close to being a good movie, however, the last quarter would just need to be totally re-written. Matthew Libatique’s cinematography is impressive, and the strongest acting performance is played by a dog called Ned.

The film itself has been devised around “The 23 Enigma,” which gives it some credibility, just like those silly horror/thrillers vaguely connecting themselves with scripture. If you are interested in numerology, this film gives you little to no detail on the science, and you would find more information on “the 23 enigma” by reading Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea’s Illuminatus! Trilogy.

Walter Sparrow (Jim Carey) is very much a normal guy, everything about his life is normal, until his wife (Virginia Madsen) buys him a book called “The Number 23.” Immediately, Walter sees the parallel between the book’s lead Fingerling and his own life. Not a perfect match by any means, but close enough for Walter to begin obsessing about the similarities and especially the parallels that the number 23 is providing. A psychologist friend (Danny Huston) alludes that he is looking for 23, therefore he is finding it, but this doesn’t stop Walter from a path of fixation that deals with death, insanity and moral responsibility.

There is little reason for a Christian to view this movie, primarily because it is really quite silly. Second, is the offensive material, there is no nudity, but plenty of sensual themes and moments—while the f-word was used six times, and there is plenty of blood and multiple graphic suicide scenes. Scripture is quoted out of context, and the psychologist implies that people only pray because they need something.

I find it fascinating that we as humans have such a desire to want to know everything. We look for codes and enigmas to try and explain the unknown; there is the DaVinci code, the “Bible code,” and countless numerology theories. Yet, they are all a load of hogwash! Everything we need instruction for is given to us in God’s revealed word. There is nothing hidden; what we need to understand is understandable. The Bible is our guide and gift given to us by our loving creator! Why look for more?

Violence: Heavy / Profanity: Moderate / Sex/Nudity: Moderate

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.