The Ninth Gate

Dean Corso is a New York City rare book dealer who is hired by wealthy collector Boris Balkan. Balkan has acquired a copy of The Nine Gates of the Kingdom of Shadows, a book by 17th-century author Aristide Torchia said to be able to summon the Devil. Torchia is alleged to have written the book in collaboration with the Devil, and only three copies survived when he and his works were burned for heresy. Balkan believes only one of the three is authentic and wants Corso to inspect the other two to determine which one. During his travels Corso comes into contact with a mysterious woman (identified as "The Girl" in the film's credits) who appears to be following him.