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.

Director:

Neill Blomkamp
Popularity
1,451 ( 89)
Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 31 wins & 112 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sharlto Copley ... Wikus Van De Merwe
Jason Cope ... Grey Bradnam - UKNR Chief Correspondent / Christopher Johnson
Nathalie Boltt ... Sarah Livingstone - Sociologist
Sylvaine Strike ... Dr Katrina McKenzie
Elizabeth Mkandawie Elizabeth Mkandawie ... Interviewee
John Sumner ... Les Feldman - MIL Engineer
William Allen Young ... Dirk Michaels
Greg Melvill-Smith Greg Melvill-Smith ... Interviewer
Nick Blake Nick Blake ... Francois Moraneu - CIV Engineer Team
Morena Busa Sesatsa Morena Busa Sesatsa ... Interviewee
Themba Nkosi Themba Nkosi ... Interviewee
Mzwandile Nqoba Mzwandile Nqoba ... Interviewee
Barry Strydom Barry Strydom ... Interviewee
Jed Brophy ... James Hope - Police Officer
Louis Minnaar Louis Minnaar ... Piet Smit
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Storyline

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. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

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No humans allowed. See more »


Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for bloody violence and pervasive language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The idea of the prawns being obsessed with cat food came from two inspirations. In impoverished areas of Johannesburg, director Neill Blomkamp would see people selling cheese poofs and other snack foods out of large three-foot tall bags and wanted the aliens to have a similar cheap food. The decision to make them cat food came from one of the producers who used canned cat food to bait traps when fishing for prawns in Vancouver. See more »

Goofs

When the MNU workers first walk up to Christopher Johnson's shack in order to evict him, the radio operator identifies the shack as "Yankee Foxtrot Five Three Zero," or YF530; however, the number on the shack itself is FY530. See more »

Quotes

Wikus Van De Merwe: [Wikus sees the head restraint descend down in-front of him] Alright, that's very comfor...
[Wikus's head is suddenly shunted forward and we hear a whirring sound]
Wikus Van De Merwe: [Wikus shouts] *Argh* Foking Bliksem!
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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). See more »


Soundtracks

Zingu 7
Performed by Zola
Written by Zola (as Bonginkosi Dlamini), Kabelo Ikaneng and Thabiso Tsotetsi
Courtesy of Ghetto Ruff Records
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User Reviews

 
The first science fiction masterpiece in years
13 August 2009 | by NonSequiturLSee all my reviews

I do not give out ratings of 10 lightly, but here it is - the first film in years that has been deserving of the rating.

Neill Blomkamp brings to screens a fantastic, gritty, realistic piece of science fiction with District 9. Not since Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner", John Carpenter's "The Thing", or James Cameron's "Aliens" have we seen a science fiction film with a vision of this caliber. After viewing District 9, it will be clear to one and all why Peter Jackson put so much faith in Blomkamp and took him under his wing as protégé.

Abandoning the usual settings of Hollywood sci-fi and placing us in the harsh slums of South Africa, we are given an original piece of work which takes risks in the way it tells its story. Not only does it go against the expectations of audiences who have been trained to expect mediocrity from their sci-fi, it goes above and beyond the call of duty to provide us with spectacle as well as something to ponder after we've downed our popcorn.

There is, thankfully, not an overused, overexposed celebrity in sight, and every unknown face in the film gives a solid performance. The aliens themselves, brilliantly realized with top notch CGI even manage to make us feel something, only rivaled by Gollum from "Lord of the Rings".

District 9 has so much to like. It's spectacular, darkly funny, entertaining and thoughtful all at the same time, and it's all done on a meager $30m budget. There is true talent on show here. If only there were more films like this, the world of cinema would be a more interesting place.


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Release Date:

14 August 2009 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

District 9 See more »

Filming Locations:

South Africa See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$37,354,308, 16 August 2009

Gross USA:

$115,646,235

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$210,888,950
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Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS | Dolby Atmos

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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