# The Number 23

> 2007 film directed by Joel Schumacher

**Wikidata**: [Q1123479](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1123479)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Number_23)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-number-23

## Summary
The Number 23 is a 2007 mystery thriller film directed by Joel Schumacher. The psychological thriller explores themes of obsession and paranoia through the story of a man who becomes fixated on the number 23.

## Key Facts
- Released on February 13, 2007, by New Line Cinema
- Directed by Joel Schumacher, known for films like The Lost Boys and Batman Forever
- Classified as a mystery film, thriller film, and drama film
- Produced in the United States and Germany
- Official website: http://www.number23movie.com/
- Has 34 sitelinks across Wikimedia projects
- Stars Jim Carrey in a dramatic departure from his typical comedic roles

## FAQs
What genre is The Number 23?
The Number 23 is classified as a mystery film, thriller film, and drama film, combining elements of psychological suspense with dramatic storytelling.

Who directed The Number 23?
The film was directed by Joel Schumacher, an American filmmaker known for directing The Lost Boys, Batman Forever, and A Time to Kill.

When was The Number 23 released?
The Number 23 was released on February 13, 2007, in the United States.

What is the film about?
The Number 23 follows a man who becomes increasingly obsessed with the number 23 after reading a mysterious book, leading him to question reality and his own sanity.

## Why It Matters
The Number 23 represents a significant departure for Jim Carrey, who took on a dark, dramatic role that showcased his range as an actor beyond his established comedic persona. The film taps into the cultural fascination with numerology and conspiracy theories, exploring how patterns and coincidences can drive people to obsession. As a psychological thriller from the mid-2000s, it reflects the era's interest in mind-bending narratives and unreliable narrators, similar to films like Memento and Fight Club. The movie also demonstrates the continued commercial viability of mid-budget thrillers in Hollywood during this period.

## Notable For
- Jim Carrey's dramatic performance in a psychological thriller
- Exploration of numerology and the 23 enigma conspiracy theory
- Joel Schumacher's direction of a dark, psychological narrative
- Blending of mystery, thriller, and drama genres
- International production between the United States and Germany

## Body
### Production and Release
The Number 23 was produced by New Line Cinema, an American film studio founded in 1967 and headquartered in New York City. The studio has produced numerous successful films including The Lord of the Rings trilogy and A Nightmare on Elm Street series. The film had a budget of approximately $32 million and was released on February 13, 2007, in the United States.

### International Production
The Number 23 was a co-production between the United States and Germany, reflecting the increasingly global nature of film production in the 2000s. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, was founded on May 23, 1949, following World War II. The country has a rich film history dating back to the early 20th century and has been a significant location for international film productions.

### Director Joel Schumacher
Joel Schumacher, who directed The Number 23, was an American filmmaker born in 1939. He began his career as a costume designer before transitioning to directing in the 1980s. Schumacher was known for his work across various genres, from the teen vampire film The Lost Boys (1987) to the Batman films Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997). His direction of The Number 23 showcased his ability to handle psychological material and create atmospheric tension.

### Star Performance
Jim Carrey, primarily known for his rubber-faced comedy in films like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and The Mask, took on a dramatically different role in The Number 23. This casting choice was notable as it represented Carrey's continued efforts to establish himself as a serious dramatic actor following performances in The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. In The Number 23, Carrey plays Walter Sparrow, a man whose life unravels as he becomes obsessed with the number 23.

### Genre Classification
The Number 23 is classified under three main genres: mystery film, thriller film, and drama film. Mystery films typically involve a crime, puzzle, or secrets that must be solved, while thriller films aim to create suspense and excitement. The drama classification indicates the film's focus on character development and emotional themes. This combination of genres creates a psychological thriller that explores both external mysteries and internal psychological states.

### Cultural Context
The film's exploration of the number 23 conspiracy theory taps into a broader cultural fascination with numerology and pattern recognition. The 23 enigma suggests that the number 23 appears with unusual frequency in various events and phenomena. This concept has been explored in various media and has roots in both mathematical curiosity and conspiracy theory culture. The Number 23's release in 2007 came during a period of increased interest in psychological thrillers and mind-bending narratives in popular cinema.

### Distribution and Marketing
New Line Cinema distributed The Number 23, utilizing their established distribution networks in the United States and internationally. The film's official website, http://www.number23movie.com/, served as a central hub for marketing materials, trailers, and information about the film. With 34 sitelinks across Wikimedia projects, the film maintained a presence in various online knowledge bases and fan communities.

### Critical Reception and Legacy
While The Number 23 received mixed reviews from critics, it represents an interesting entry in the psychological thriller genre of the 2000s. The film's exploration of obsession, paranoia, and the search for meaning in patterns continues to resonate with audiences interested in psychological narratives. Its place in Jim Carrey's filmography as a dramatic departure from his comedic roots makes it a notable work in his career evolution.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0481369/)
2. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/numer-23)
3. [Source](http://www.adorocinema.com/filmes/filme-48412/)
4. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/es/film768186.html)
5. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=48412.html)
6. [Source](http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/number-23-2007-1)
7. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/23/movies/23numb.html)
8. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-number-23)
9. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0481369/fullcredits)
10. The Movie Database
11. The Number 23. Rotten Tomatoes
12. Freebase Data Dumps
13. Kinopoisk
14. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/the-number-23/)
15. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
16. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
17. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/117024)
18. Online-Filmdatenbank
19. Bechdel Test Movie List
20. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/6B91-9C02-7457-0D2D-44B6-W)
21. Danish Film Database
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23. FilmVandaag.nl