District 9

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2:15

District 9

R

Released Aug 14, 2009

1h 51m

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

309 Reviews

82%

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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.

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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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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

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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

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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

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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

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Daniel w

This is a 10/10 we need district 10 already

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/26/24

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Ze_ B

District 9 has an incredible screenplay and actors, The main character Wikus really immersed me as he conveyed genuine pain and horror very well, An absolute classic to me. The obvious message, despite being obvious still shows the horror of what humans do to those whom are different, plus is very very believable!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/28/24

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Mirkka S

Interesting & different, thrilling & different, touching & different, makes one to think, I enjoyed.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/22/24

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Benjamin H

Although a lot of the human side characters could have been utilized better and it is a bit structurally wavy to begin with, District 9 is a powerful, inventive and conscious sci-fi movie that looks great and has a myriad of contemporary themes that is handled with both curiosity and depth. It also has a lot of diverting action setpieces throughout, while being amazingly directed by Neill Blomkamp and featuring an incredible lead performance by Sharlto Copley. Extra plus for the fascinating exploration of aliens as a whole and how they operate together.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/17/24

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Alice May G

One of my favourite movies

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/13/24

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NiB Y

Gritty, dirty, and plausible Sci-Fi movie that is above all an (obvious but still) allegory for the apartheid. Amazing and realistic CG. The only defect of this movie is the protagonist and how bipolar and insuffurable he is.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/03/24

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

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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
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

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