
District 9
2009, Sci fi, 1h 51m
314 Reviews 250,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Technically brilliant and emotionally wrenching, District 9 has action, imagination, and all the elements of a thoroughly entertaining science-fiction classic. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Wikus Van De Merwe
Grey Bradnam

Koobus Venter
Tania Van De Merwe
Fundiswa Mhlanga
Thomas
News & Interviews for District 9
Critic Reviews for District 9
All Critics (314) | Top Critics (74) | Fresh (282) | Rotten (32)
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I don't know guys, at the end of the day it's aliens and hard for me to take this seriously.
September 12, 2017 | Rating: B | Full Review… -
The wonder is that despite its obvious roots, District 9 feels staggeringly original.
June 17, 2015 | Full Review… -
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.
June 17, 2015 | Full Review… -
Audacious, original and absolutely gut-wrenching.
June 17, 2015 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… -
It's a brashly confident debut, full of sharp, inventive detail (the prawns are crazy for cat food) and rooted in a couple of Big Ideas. Well worth the time, if not all of it.
August 25, 2014 | Full Review… -
District 9 has too many gory vaporizations to qualify as a serious statement on race relations, but it does outclank Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen by a wide margin, and you thrill to the cleanly cut action sequences.
November 17, 2011 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for District 9
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Sep 29, 2016District 9 is a gritty, groundbreaking sci-fi thriller that highlights the sheer brilliance of Peter Jackson and Neil Blomkamp. From the stunning visuals to its emotionally gripping tale, the film keeps you on edge and provokes the graphic nature of survival. 5/5Eugene B Super Reviewer
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Jun 26, 2016The debut film from Blomkamp, District 9 is about a stranded alien civilisation residing adjacent to Johannesburg as refugees where an executive for weaponry is exposed to a metamorphosing chemical as he tries to save the alien race. Filmed in a documentarian style, this is a refreshing Sci-Fi film that is so technically clever it will be deemed as a classic in later years, for sure. The problem for me was that I was not emotionally invested in any of the characters and the first act of the film dragged on for a very long time. Copley was good, but nothing outstanding. The segregation between humans and the "Prawns" is an obvious metaphor for diversity and whilst this drives the film, it perhaps forces this too much on the viewer. I can acknowledge that this is a very good film and can see why so many like it, it just didn't resonate with me as much.Luke A Super Reviewer
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Jun 22, 2016Incredibly original idea by Blomkamp. Aliens come to Earth but their ship cannot leave. They are forced to live in slum-like conditions in Johannesburg, South Africa and are constantly monitored by the government. Very entertaining film as it shows Sharlto Copley's character get exposed to a substance that starts to change him in a way that the government wants to exploit. As I said before, this film is incredibly entertaining and original. Action sequences were well done and effects with the "Prawn" alien race were remarkable as far as how they interacted with the human characters/actors.Patrick W Super Reviewer
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Dec 03, 2015Very good. Between a 4 and 4.5. I give it the higher rating for its originality and its attempt at unflinching honesty in its portrayal. There is no black and white here, only grey. Sci-fi needs more audacious films like this.Kyle M Super Reviewer
District 9 Quotes
Koobus Venter: | Listen to me, you fuck! Get that fucking camera out of my face! |
Wikus van der Merwe: | Fuck off! No, fuck off, man! |
Wikus van der Merwe: | Hello, little guy! It's the sweetie man coming! |
Wikus van der Merwe: | Hey, you! Don't urinate on your fucking clothing! |
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