District 9

90%

Tomatometer

314 Reviews

82%

Audience Score

250,000+ Ratings

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. Read More Read Less

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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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Critics Reviews

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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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Audience Reviews

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Mark L A genuinely surprising film that still holds up 15 years later.It's a film that deserves a follow-up, but simultaneously I'm glad it never got one so it couldn't ruin this. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/27/24 Full Review Nathan T This movie was the pinnacle of modern Western media and no movie has topped it since. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/01/24 Full Review Audience Member A paradise for Science Fiction fans, Copley is entertaining in everything he does. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/25/24 Full Review Andrew P One of the better Science Fiction movies ever Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/23/24 Full Review Bryce G Great movie just feels like they’re trying really hard to set up a sequel which has never come out 15 years later Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/04/24 Full Review 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 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/13/24 Full Review Read all reviews

District 9

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Cast & Crew

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

District 9: Trailer 2

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District 9: Trailer 1

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District 9

An alien in "District 9."

(Center) Sharlto Copley as Wikus in "District 9."

A scene from the film "District 9."

(Center) Sharlto Copley as Wikus in "District 9."

Sharlto Copley as Wikus in "District 9."

(L-R) David James and director Neill Blomkamp on the set of "District 9."

(L-R) Director Neill Blomkamp and Sharlto Copley on the set of "District 9."

A scene from the film "District 9."

Sharlto Copley as Wikus in "District 9."

A scene from the film "District 9."

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Movie Info

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
Producer: Peter Jackson, Carolynne Cunningham
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
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS