District 9

R

Released Aug 14, 2009

1 hr. 51 min.

Sci-Fi

TRAILER

for District 9: Trailer 2

List

90%

314 Reviews

Tomatometer

82%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Thirty years ago, aliens arrive on Earth -- not to conquer or give aid, but -- to find refuge from their dying planet. Separated from humans in a South African area called District 9, the aliens are managed by Multi-National United, which is unconcerned with the aliens' welfare but will do anything to master their advanced technology. When a company field agent (Sharlto Copley) contracts a mysterious virus that begins to alter his DNA, there is only one place he can hide: District 9.

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Critics Consensus

Technically brilliant and emotionally wrenching, District 9 has action, imagination, and all the elements of a thoroughly entertaining science-fiction classic.

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Blu B

Only real complaint is while the music is really good it definitely isn't super memorable on it's own and isn't that catchy. Otherwise jeez....it's pretty much flawless. Sometimes the CGI has litle hiccups moments where it looks terrible but for the mos part it really looks good, original, and is extremely ambitious. The found footage look of this can be a bit jarring at first but you grow used to it and really shines. The main character starts out as a complete jerk but by the end you really feel for him and that is a testament to the storytelling on display here. The storytelling and character arcs are really impactful. Powerful, brutal, and thought provoking are the best ways to describe this. Everyone should give this a try once.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/13/24

Full Review

Jason

You're not fooling me, I know Wikus got freaky with that alien. [7.5/10] You dirty, dirty dog, Wikus.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/22/24

Full Review

Spike G

Excellent scfi alien film

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/12/24

Full Review

Terry H

Just watched it again for the third time or so since it's release. It hit me as so much better than I remember. Absolutely spectacular! An emotional story that builds intensity throughout with great visuals, great script writing, and great acting. They took kind of a quirky alien story line and really made it work and made you so immersed in the outcome. Truly outstanding compared to how movies are made today.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/10/24

Full Review

Morgana G

Underated movie for sure!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/01/24

Full Review

billybob 1

It has so much potential, but it runs out of steam. The CG doesn't quite allow for enough emotion to be shown. And the format is not for me.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/23/24

Full Review

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Neill Blomkamp

Director

Sharlto Copley

Wikus Van De Merwe

Jason Cope

Grey Bradnam

David James

Koobus Venter

Vanessa Haywood

Tania Van De Merwe

Mandla Gaduka

Fundiswa Mhlanga

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District 9: Trailer 2

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District 9: Trailer 1

1:41

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

I don't know guys, at the end of the day it's aliens and hard for me to take this seriously.

Rated: B

Sep 12, 2017

Full Review

Jeannette Catsoulis

NPR

The wonder is that despite its obvious roots, District 9 feels staggeringly original.

Jun 17, 2015

Full Review

Jonathan Romney

Independent on Sunday

Blomkamp is good at mustering speedy action and posting grisly sight gags in the background, carnage always hovering comically at the edge of your vision. But I'm not sure that District 9 entirely gets the earthling racism out of its own system.

Jun 17, 2015

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Blomkamp doesn’t miss a step. His film is cynical, funny, smart, exciting, and satirical—all without losing his audience’s involvement in the scenario.

Rated: 4/4

Sep 4, 2023

Full Review

John Brhel

Vague Visages

District 9 might not be a classic like Alien or ‘The Terminator’ (not many films are), but it’s still an effective sci-fi film with depth and style.

Jun 5, 2023

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Funny and ferocious, cynical and satirical, "District 9" is both ingeniously clever and reflectively thoughtful, a science fiction thriller that bubbles with social commentary.

Apr 26, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

Thirty years ago, aliens arrive on Earth -- not to conquer or give aid, but -- to find refuge from their dying planet. Separated from humans in a South African area called District 9, the aliens are managed by Multi-National United, which is unconcerned with the aliens' welfare but will do anything to master their advanced technology. When a company field agent (Sharlto Copley) contracts a mysterious virus that begins to alter his DNA, there is only one place he can hide: District 9.

Director: Neill Blomkamp
Executive Producer: Ken Kamins, Bill Block
Screenwriter: Neill Blomkamp, Terri Tatchell
Distributor: Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: WingNut Films
Rating: R (Pervasive Language|Bloody Violence)
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 14, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $115.6M
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS

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