Nine Days

Will serves as an arbiter with the responsibility of evaluating souls before they enter the living world. He lives in isolation in a remote desert home, conducting interviews for souls seeking a new chance at life.

During his evaluations, Will must deliver poignant farewells to those who are not selected, erasing their existence. This adds a layer of emotional weight to his role, making each decision increasingly difficult.

Kyo, a lingering soul who assists Will in the interview process, becomes his sole companion in the desolation of the desert. This companionship helps Will navigate the challenges of his emotional duties.

Will becomes particularly engrossed in the life of Amanda, a 28-year-old violin prodigy. He follows her performances displayed on various screens in his home, representing a connection to the living world.

Tragedy strikes when Amanda crashes into an overpass while on her way to a significant concerto, leading to her untimely death. This incident creates an opening for new souls to seek birth, triggering the selection process.

Following Amanda's death, countless candidates flock to Will, eager for the opportunity to be born. Over the next nine days, Will conducts interviews to select the most deserving soul.

During the interviews, Will is particularly drawn to Emma, who exhibits an innate empathy and curiosity. Despite her disinterest in the selection process, she leaves a profound impact on Will.

As he dismisses candidates for their lack of understanding about life's complexities, Will arranges meaningful experiences for them, such as beach strolls or bike rides. These moments serve as farewells before their existence is erased.

Kyo introduces a new interviewer who shares a tape recording revealing Amanda left behind a suicide note. This discovery adds layers to Will's grief, deepening his struggle to understand Amanda's choices.

In a vulnerable moment, Will confides in Emma about a vibrant theater performance he once experienced, highlighting his unfulfilled passions. However, he struggles with anger when a candidate questions his authority in judging others' lives.

As the selection process nears its end, Will narrows down the candidates to Emma and Kane. Their contrasting perspectives on life create tension as Will grapples with his decision.

Ultimately, Will chooses Kane for birth despite Kyo's advocacy for Emma. This bittersweet decision weighs heavily on him, as he realizes the depth of his connections with both candidates.

In a poignant gesture, Emma opts for a silent traverse of the desert instead of accepting Will's final experience offer. This choice reflects her independence and departure from the process.

Later, Will discovers a heartfelt note from Emma expressing gratitude for the memories they shared during the interviews. This note sparks reflection on their time together and Will's feelings of regret.

Motivated by remorse, Will races across the desert in pursuit of Emma. He passionately recites quotes from Walt Whitman's *Song of Myself*, culminating in an emotional moment of gratitude shared between them.