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District 9

District 9

Science Fiction · 2009

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 contracts a mysterious virus that begins to alter his DNA, there is only one place he can hide: District 9.

Movie details

District 9

“You are not welcome here.”

2009 Science Fiction 1h 52m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.5 / 10

Community rating

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 contracts a mysterious virus that begins to alter his DNA, there is only one place he can hide: District 9.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over District 9?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Neill Blomkamp

Written by

Neill Blomkamp · Terri Tatchell

Sharlto Copley

Sharlto Copley

Wikus van de Merwe

Jason Cope

Jason Cope

Christopher Johnson / Grey Bradnam / Trent

Nathalie Boltt

Nathalie Boltt

Sarah Livingstone - Sociologist

Sylvaine Strike

Sylvaine Strike

Dr Katrina McKenzie

Elizabeth Mkandawie

Elizabeth Mkandawie

Interviewee

John Sumner

John Sumner

Les Feldman - MIL Engineer

William Allen Young

William Allen Young

Dirk Michaels

Court is in session

Put District 9 on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Big-Idea Head

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.