District 9 (2009)

Last updated:
April 25, 2025

District 9, directed by Neill Blomkamp, is a unique blend of science fiction, action, and social commentary. Set in Johannesburg, South Africa, the movie uses its alien-invasion premise to explore issues like xenophobia, segregation, and the consequences of apartheid. Its documentary-style presentation and gritty realism set it apart from traditional sci-fi blockbusters.

Detailed Summary

Introduction: The Arrival of the Aliens

The movie opens with a documentary-style format, explaining how, in 1982, a massive alien spaceship appeared over Johannesburg. The aliens, derogatorily called “Prawns,” are discovered in a malnourished state inside the ship and are relocated to a government camp called District 9. This quickly turns into a slum, rife with crime and poverty, as humans exploit and mistreat the aliens.

Wikus van de Merwe’s Assignment

Wikus van de Merwe (Sharlto Copley) is a bumbling bureaucrat assigned by Multi-National United (MNU), a private military corporation, to lead an operation to evict the aliens from District 9 and relocate them to a new camp, District 10, further away from the city. Initially naive and unsympathetic, he finds himself thrust into a life-altering situation after being exposed to a mysterious alien fluid. This sudden turn of events challenges his outlook and forces him into a new, dangerous reality. His journey transforms him in ways he never could have anticipated.

Wikus’ Transformation

The turning point occurs when Wikus accidentally sprays himself with an alien chemical substance, which triggers his mutation into an alien. As his body transforms, MNU captures him, eager to exploit his transformation to access alien technology. MNU aims to weaponize the advanced alien tech, which can only be activated using alien DNA.

Teaming Up with the Aliens

Wikus escapes from MNU and is forced to take refuge in District 9, where he teams up with an alien named Christopher Johnson, who has been working to repair a small spacecraft to return to the mothership. The two strike a deal: if Wikus helps Christopher recover the alien fuel (the same fluid that mutated him), Christopher will try to reverse the transformation.

The Climactic Battle

The final act involves a thrilling battle, as Wikus and Christopher break into MNU’s headquarters to retrieve the fluid. This leads to an intense confrontation between MNU forces, the Nigerian gang that controls District 9, and Wikus, who is now fully embracing his new alien abilities. With Christopher’s help, Wikus fights to protect the alien ship, allowing Christopher and his son to escape to the mothership.

Movie Ending

In the end, Christopher promises to return in three years to help Wikus fully recover his humanity. As the alien ship departs, Wikus completes his transformation into a prawn, and we last see him scavenging in District 9, suggesting that he has fully embraced his new alien identity. Meanwhile, District 9 is dismantled, and the aliens are relocated to a new camp, District 10, which is expected to house over 2 million aliens.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, District 9 does not have any post-credits scenes. The movie concludes with a sense of ambiguity, leaving the audience to ponder the future of both Wikus and the aliens.

Type of Movie

District 9 is a science fiction movie with strong elements of social commentary, action, and body horror. The film blends a documentary-style presentation with gritty realism, giving it a unique tone and atmosphere compared to traditional sci-fi blockbusters.

Cast

Sharlto Copley as Wikus van de Merwe
Jason Cope as Christopher Johnson (and various alien voices)
David James as Colonel Koobus Venter
Vanessa Haywood as Tania van de Merwe
Mandela Mathiane as Fundiswa Mhlanga

Film Music and Composer

Clinton Shorter composed the film’s score, creating a haunting, percussive soundtrack that highlights the story’s tension and emotional depth. His music combines orchestral elements with African-influenced rhythms, effectively underscoring the South African setting and themes.

Filming Locations

The filmmakers shot the movie primarily in Johannesburg, South Africa, using real shantytowns to create a gritty, realistic aesthetic. South Africa’s history of apartheid directly inspired the film’s exploration of xenophobia and segregation, making the setting a crucial element.

Awards and Nominations

District 9 received widespread critical acclaim and earned several prestigious nominations, including:

Academy Award Nominations for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Visual Effects, and Best Film Editing.
BAFTA Nomination for Best Screenplay.
Saturn Award for Best International Film.

Despite not winning major awards, District 9 remains one of the most celebrated sci-fi films of its decade.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Peter Jackson, known for The Lord of the Rings trilogy, produced the film, lending it credibility and a bigger budget.
The movie was based on Blomkamp’s 2006 short film Alive in Joburg, which also focused on aliens living in Johannesburg.
Sharlto Copley, who plays Wikus, had never acted in a feature film before. His performance was largely improvised, bringing raw authenticity to the role.

Inspirations and References

District 9 is inspired by the apartheid history of South Africa, specifically the forced removals of Black South Africans from areas like District Six in Cape Town. The movie uses the treatment of aliens to parallel the social, economic, and racial injustices of the apartheid era.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There have been no widely known alternate endings or deleted scenes from District 9. The movie’s open-ended conclusion leaves the door wide open for a sequel, which Neill Blomkamp has hinted at for years but has not yet materialized.

Book Adaptations and Differences

District 9 is an original work, but its themes echo literature about apartheid and colonialism, such as works by J.M. Coetzee or Chinua Achebe. The film’s social commentary also recalls classics like George Orwell’s Animal Farm and Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World in how it critiques governmental control and societal oppression.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Wikus’ first encounter with the alien fuel and the start of his mutation.
The eviction process in District 9, which parallels real-life forced relocations.
Wikus piloting the alien mech suit during the climactic battle.

Iconic Quotes

Wikus: “Get your fokkin’ tentacle off my face!”
Christopher Johnson: “I will come back. I promise.”
Colonel Venter: “It’s just a prawn, Wikus!”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The documentary-style presentation was inspired by real news footage from South African news outlets, giving the movie an authentic feel.
The number 9 appears throughout the film, referencing both District 9 and the real-life District Six.
The design of the Prawns was intentionally grotesque to reflect how humans dehumanize “the other.”

Trivia

Sharlto Copley was originally a producer and didn’t plan on acting in the film.
Sound designers created the alien language in the film by mixing sound effects with real South African dialects.
The film was made on a modest budget of $30 million but grossed over $210 million worldwide, making it a massive commercial success.

Why Watch?

If you’re looking for a thought-provoking sci-fi film that blends social commentary with intense action and special effects, District 9 is a must-watch. Its unique documentary style, combined with an emotionally charged storyline, makes it stand out from other alien invasion films.