Rent Nine Queens (2000)

What a twist - Nine Queens review by JD

Brilliant acting. I felt the characters were totally believable and had intriguing personalities. The plot unfolds at a perfect pace and kept my complete attention throughout. The twist at the end will have you thinking all the way through the credits.

I'd rather watch "Nine Queens" than "Nine Songs." - Nine Queens review by Kurtz

Enjoyable long-con drama from Argentina. If you’ve seen “House of Games” and “Matchstick Men” you’ll know the drill, but the central pairing is effective: Gaston Pauls’ young trickster is outwardly bland but harbours a great talent for what he does, whilst Ricardo Darin is excellent as his oily mentor. The ending is a touch theatrical, but part of the pleasure in this type of film is trying to spot where the rug is being pulled out from under our feet, and I have to admit that the director Bielinsky certainly did a number on me.

Double Dealers and Clockwork Cons - Nine Queens review by griggs

A sleek, twisty tale of scams within scams, Nine Queens keeps its cards close while flashing just enough to keep you hooked. It’s fast-paced and crisply directed, with Buenos Aires itself playing a sly supporting role — bustling, watchful, always ready to swallow the unwary.

What really sells it is the pairing of Ricardo Darín and Gastón Pauls. Their partnership crackles, shifting between wary mistrust and reluctant camaraderie as the con tightens. Watching them spar and improvise through each setup is half the fun; the other half is trying to stay one step ahead and usually failing.

If there’s a catch, it’s in the precision. The plotting clicks together so neatly it feels engineered, more clockwork than chaos, which robs the ending of some sting. Still, the film earns its charm: smart, stylish, and slippery enough to keep you guessing until the final shuffle.