Stereotypes In District 9

Words: 1269
Pages: 6

The film District 9 seemed at first like a typical alien invasion movie, however, throughout the film it gained more and more purpose for our understanding of equality. District 9 was filmed and released in 2009 directed by Neill Blomkamp. These aliens weren’t necessarily a threat to the humans, but were more of refugees to them, having some type of technological goal in mind for themselves. There wasn’t as much deaths and brutality that a normal alien movie would have had, although it did have some gruesome scenes, but it was more of an intellectual movie in the way that the aliens were fighting for more than just their freedom but almost for the respect of the humans. Wikus, the main character, was as isolated as anyone could have been when …show more content…
Cohen states, “the monster reappeared in another heroic chronicle” and also says, “ready to stalk again in another bigger-than-ever sequel” (Pages 3&4). These aren’t the exact terms that Wikus is on but he is basically returning with furious anger to the people who wanted him dead. He left the town scared and worried but then realizes what has actually happened and like Cohen says, he returns bigger and more heroic than ever. Berreby’s interpretation is very similar as he is alone, he looks at it in a way that it is basically him versus the world, making the exception of the prawns and WIkus’s loved one. Berreby writes in his essay, “Human beings will give a lot, including their lives, for a group they feel part of – for “us” as in “our nation” or “our religion”. They will also harm those labeled “them”, including taking their lives.” (Page 3). Watching District 9 from Berreby’s perspective is very satisfying in that it allows us to see two sides of a situation and allows us to feel for both sides. Viewers end up feeling for Wikus and the prawns because they are the ones who were considered the bad guys in the beginning and eventually turn out to be the good guys at the end trying to survive. Wikus being able to be the bad guy let him find his true identity but more importantly let him view the aliens as equal to him while he was still considered a human. These two ways of looking at the movie can be connected together, you’re looking at a guy who uncontrollably gets prawn-like characteristics and has to vanish in order to survive. He comes back with vexation and being the odd man who must team up with the prawns who were once