Dove.org
Faith and Family-Focused Reviews for Today’s Media
Browse by rating or type
Approved For
All Ages
12+
18+
Dove Reviewed
Category
All Reviews
Not Approved

The Number 23

The psychological thriller 'The Number 23' stars Jim Carrey as a man whose life unravels after he comes into contact with an obscure book titled The Number 23. As he reads the book, he becomes increasingly convinced that it is based on his own life. His obsession with the number 23 starts to consume him, and he begins to realize the book forecasts far graver consequences for his life than he could have ever imagined.
16
Negative Rating
12345
SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
0
Positive Rating
12345
FaithIntegrity

Dove Review

This psychological thriller/drama had a twist that I didn’t see coming and it was definitely an “aha” moment at the end. I don’t frequent these type of pictures so I can’t comment on whether anyone else saw the twist coming or not, but it definitely was well hidden as far as keeping me guessing. Both Jim Carrey and Virginia Madsen are excellent in their roles as husband and wife and their love is severely tested when Carrey’s character begins reading the book on the number 23. Some interesting tidbits regarding this number are revealed. Sadly, on to the bad news.

There is a lot of violence in the film with lots of blood shown, including the slitting of a woman’s throat. The language is strong and there are some strong, brief sexual scenes as well, although I have seen more explicit scenes in other R-rated films. Still, this is not one for the family by any means.

Dove Rating Details

0
Faith

None

0
Integrity

Several scenes of murder and suicide; bloody scenes; a man stabs a woman to death and dreams he stabs his wife to death; a woman thinks about jumping out a window; another character does jump; a dog bites a character's arm and he bleeds; a character almost commits suicide by standing in front of an oncoming bus.

3
Sex

Implied sex outside of marriage; sexual scenes which are a bit explicit but briefly shown.

4
Language

F-7; B-5; SOB-1; S-3; H-1; OG/OMG-5; D-1

4
Violence

Several scenes of murder and suicide; bloody scenes; a man stabs a woman to death and dreams he stabs his wife to death; a woman thinks about jumping out a window; another character does jump; a dog bites a character's arm and he bleeds; a character almost commits suicide by standing in front of an oncoming bus.

2
Drugs

Smoking; brief drinking.

2
Nudity

Cleavage; women in lingerie; bare chested man.

1
Other

A theme dealing with the mind and a mental institute is shown, the words "witches sabbath" is seen on screen in opening credits as is red, representing blood.

More Information

Film Information
Genre
Runtime
95
Rating
N/A
Reviewer
Edwin L. Carpenter
Actors
, ,
Writers
Directors
Producers
Studios
Dove Content
See all