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District 9

  • 20092009
  • 1616
  • 1h 52min
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
653K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
609
166
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
District 9 (2009)
A TV trailer for District 9
Play trailer1:03
19 Videos
99+ Photos
ActionSci-FiThriller

Violence ensues after an extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth finds a kindred spirit in a government agent exposed to their biotechnology.Violence ensues after an extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth finds a kindred spirit in a government agent exposed to their biotechnology.Violence ensues after an extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth finds a kindred spirit in a government agent exposed to their biotechnology.

IMDb RATING
7.9/10
653K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
609
166
  • Director
    • Neill Blomkamp
  • Writers
    • Neill Blomkamp
    • Terri Tatchell
  • Stars
    • Sharlto Copley
    • David James
    • Jason Cope
Top credits
  • Director
    • Neill Blomkamp
  • Writers
    • Neill Blomkamp
    • Terri Tatchell
  • Stars
    • Sharlto Copley
    • David James
    • Jason Cope
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1.4KUser reviews
    • 501Critic reviews
    • 81Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Nominated for 4 Oscars
      • 31 wins & 116 nominations total

    Videos19

    District 9: TV Spot
    Trailer 1:03
    District 9: TV Spot
    District 9 -- Trailer #2
    Trailer 2:22
    District 9 -- Trailer #2
    District 9
    Trailer 1:48
    District 9
    District 9: "MNU CEO"
    Clip 1:03
    District 9: "MNU CEO"
    District 9: Man on the Street: "Jobs"
    Clip 0:37
    District 9: Man on the Street: "Jobs"
    District 9: Man on the Street: "Diet"
    Clip 0:36
    District 9: Man on the Street: "Diet"
    District 9: Man on the Street: "Crime"
    Clip 0:37
    District 9: Man on the Street: "Crime"
    District 9: Man on the Street: "Communication"
    Clip 0:37
    District 9: Man on the Street: "Communication"
    District 9: Man on the Street: "Arrival"
    Clip 0:33
    District 9: Man on the Street: "Arrival"
    District 9: "Biologist Ballistics"
    Clip 0:40
    District 9: "Biologist Ballistics"
    District 9: "MNU Officer Day in the Life"
    Clip 1:04
    District 9: "MNU Officer Day in the Life"
    District 9: "Contraband"
    Clip 0:43
    District 9: "Contraband"

    Photos106

    District 9 (2009)
    Sharlto Copley in District 9 (2009)
    Sharlto Copley, Kenneth Nkosi, and Mandla Gaduka in District 9 (2009)
    District 9 (2009)
    Sharlto Copley in District 9 (2009)
    Neill Blomkamp and David James in District 9 (2009)
    Neill Blomkamp and Sharlto Copley in District 9 (2009)
    Sharlto Copley in District 9 (2009)
    District 9 (2009)
    District 9 (2009)
    District 9 (2009)
    Sharlto Copley in District 9 (2009)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Sharlto Copley
    Sharlto Copley
    • Wikus Van De Merweas Wikus Van De Merwe
    David James
    • Koobus Venteras Koobus Venter
    Jason Cope
    Jason Cope
    • Grey Bradnam - UKNR Chief Correspondentas Grey Bradnam - UKNR Chief Correspondent…
    Nathalie Boltt
    Nathalie Boltt
    • Sarah Livingstone - Sociologistas Sarah Livingstone - Sociologist
    Sylvaine Strike
    Sylvaine Strike
    • Dr Katrina McKenzieas Dr Katrina McKenzie
    Elizabeth Mkandawie
    • Intervieweeas Interviewee
    John Sumner
    John Sumner
    • Les Feldman - MIL Engineeras Les Feldman - MIL Engineer
    William Allen Young
    William Allen Young
    • Dirk Michaelsas Dirk Michaels
    Greg Melvill-Smith
    • Intervieweras Interviewer
    Nick Blake
    • Francois Moraneu - CIV Engineer Teamas Francois Moraneu - CIV Engineer Team
    Morena Busa Sesatsa
    • Intervieweeas Interviewee
    Themba Nkosi
    • Intervieweeas Interviewee
    Mzwandile Nqoba
    • Intervieweeas Interviewee
    Barry Strydom
    • Intervieweeas Interviewee
    Jed Brophy
    Jed Brophy
    • James Hope - Police Officeras James Hope - Police Officer
    Louis Minnaar
    • Piet Smitas Piet Smit
    Vanessa Haywood
    • Tania Van De Merweas Tania Van De Merwe
    Marian Hooman
    • Sandra Van De Merweas Sandra Van De Merwe
    • Director
      • Neill Blomkamp
    • Writers
      • Neill Blomkamp
      • Terri Tatchell
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    Storyline

    Edit
    In 1982, a massive star ship bearing a bedraggled alien population, nicknamed "The Prawns," appeared over Johannesburg, South Africa. Twenty-eight years later, the initial welcome by the human population has faded. The refugee camp where the aliens were located has deteriorated into a militarized ghetto called District 9, where they are confined and exploited in squalor. In 2010, the munitions corporation, Multi-National United, is contracted to forcibly evict the population with operative Wikus van der Merwe in charge. In this operation, Wikus is exposed to a strange alien chemical and must rely on the help of his only two new 'Prawn' friends. —Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)
    aliensocial commentarymockumentarybased on short filmremoving fingernail329 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • You are not welcome here.
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Sci-Fi
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • 16
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      After the feature film based on the Halo: Combat Evolved (2001) video game series (which was to have been directed by Neill Blomkamp) fell through, producer Peter Jackson went to Blomkamp and offered him $30 million to make whatever he wanted, although this would be Blomkamp's first feature as a director. The result is this film.
    • Goofs
      When Wikus is first admitted to hospital and is having his arm checked, it is quite clear that he has a hairy chest under his vest. Afterwards, he is seen with his shirt off and is hairless. Because the surgeons are planning on opening his chest to remove his heart, it is likely that his chest was shaved in preparation for the procedure. Another reason may be, due to the changes his body is undertaking (fingernails falling off, etc.), his hair may have fallen out.
    • Quotes

      Wikus Van De Merwe: Get your fokkin' tentacle out of my face!

    • Crazy credits
      The end credits are back to front, with the actors' names on the left and character names on the right (as opposed to most films where it's the other way 'round).
    • Connections
      Featured in The Rotten Tomatoes Show: Wolverine/Ghosts of Girlfriends Past/Battle for Terra (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      Zingu 7
      Performed by Zola

      Written by Zola (as Bonginkosi Dlamini), Kabelo Ikaneng and Thabiso Tsotetsi

      Courtesy of Ghetto Ruff Records

    User reviews1.4K

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    It is just THAT good.
    Saying this movie is good would be an understatement. The movie has it all, a very intriguing deep plot, good acting and great action. If I was to find a flaw in this movie, it would be the shaky cam technique employed at the beginning part of the movie and also at the very end. The shaky parts are supposedly documentary clips telling the story of Wikus, the protagonist. But rather than add to the feel of it, the shakiness is just nauseating. They just over did it. But after a while into the movie, they got out of the documentary mode and things couldn't be any better. And the special effects in his movie will have you believing that these aliens are real.

    It's better that you go into this movie not knowing the deeper plot as a big part of the movie's entertainment value for me is the parts when things look hopeless and you really feel the despair and hopelessness of the characters. The only thing you need to know going in is that there are aliens stranded on earth and they are put in slums.

    This is one of those movies that teases you that it's nearing its end, but inside, you go "No, I want more. It can't end like this", and the movie hears you and gives you more. And it's primed for a great sequel. The potential that this franchise has is just enormous. The way they can expand the story is just limitless and all of them can add to it's lore. This is a classic franchise in the making.
    helpful•524
    255
    • thebackofmyhouse
    • Aug 13, 2009

    FAQ8

    • What is 'District 9' about?
    • Is "District 9" based on a book?
    • How did so many aliens come to be on earth?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 8, 2009 (Netherlands)
    • Countries of origin
      • South Africa
      • United States
      • New Zealand
      • Canada
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Nyanja
      • Afrikaans
      • Zulu
      • Xhosa
      • Sotho
    • Also known as
      • District Nine
    • Filming locations
      • Johannesburg, South Africa
    • Production companies
      • TriStar Pictures
      • Block / Hanson
      • WingNut Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $30,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $115,646,235
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $37,354,308
      • Aug 16, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $210,888,950
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 52min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
      • Dolby Atmos
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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