“Because of the power and nature of Good, evil is not just evil; since it appeared of necessity, it is bound with certain beautiful chains, like prisoners bound with golden chains, hidden by these, so that, being like this, it is not seen by the gods, and human beings do not always have to look at evil. But whenever they look, they are accompanied by images of Beauty to recollect.”
― Plotinus, The Enneads
Alien-Human Role Reversal
"District 9" starts with a distinctive film-making approach, utilizing DV-quality visuals, shaky amateur camera work, and occasional character interviews. This technique gives the film a documentary-like quality.

Two decades before the story's events, a group of thin extraterrestrial beings stranded on Earth due to a spaceship crash found their home in Johannesburg, South Africa. This area, where they survived, became known as "District 9." These aliens were tall, unattractive, and reminiscent of prawns, leading humans to nickname them "The Prawn."

"District 9" departs from the conventional portrayal of extraterrestrial beings. Beneath their horrifying appearance lies intricate and nuanced emotion. A prawn named Christopher becomes confused during searches, stands frozen at the sight of his kind being subjected to gruesome live experiments, and promises Wikus, who has turned semi-human and semi-prawn, that he will eventually help him escape before returning to their home planet.


In contrast, humans experiment on conscious Wikus, fabricate rumors of his misconduct causing infection, and strive to extract his final worth through any means.
The carefully crafted role reversal in "District 9" highlights stark contradictions in the way Wikus is perceived after his accidental transformation into a "half-human, half-prawn." Among the prawns, we catch glimpses of humanity, while among humans, we observe its erosion.
By employing this setup, the director unveils instances of "inhumanity" existing within humanity, encouraging the audience to engage in introspection.
Group Dynamics Trigger Deterioration
"District 9" leaves viewers contemplating whether human nature is inherently wicked.
I believe it's not. Human nature is both good and bad. Whether we become virtuous or wicked is not in our nature; it's our choice. Nature impels humans to make choices that serve their best interests and enhance their chances of survival.

This inherent urge prompted humans to evolve from primal forests and build civilizations on Earth. Yet, this survival instinct also breeds caution towards the unfamiliar, sometimes sparking violent conflicts. While humans naturally seek group belonging, ironically, groups can also incubate the emergence of "the darker aspects of human nature." Similar to how "District 9" portrays how society chases Wikus, who is no longer one of them, the pervasive news implies that harming or killing him is what everyone should do.
Once an individual becomes part of a group, their actions become exempt from personal responsibility, revealing the unbridled side they otherwise conceal. Group pursuits and beliefs rarely hinge on truth and reason; they often manifest as blind obedience, cruelty, bigotry, and fanaticism, driven solely by simple and extreme emotions.
Gustave Le Bon already explored such collective irrationality in "The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind." This helps explain why after Wikus mutates, not a single acquaintance dares to stand up and believe in him, nor do they notice the inconsistencies in the allegations against him.
The Rose After Darkness, Lingering Hope
While "District 9" exposes humanity's dark side, it retains a tender sentiment. Amid the darkness, the faint glimmers of human goodness provide hope. Due to promises, love, responsibility, or other reasons, there's always something beautiful that compels us to embrace "human goodness." "District 9" derides human nature, yet it also places hope in it.

At the very end of the film, Wikus' wife receives a rose made of metal pieces, assembled meticulously by Wikus, who is fully transformed into a prawn, using his sharp claws.
"District 9," despite its appearance as a "sci-fi" film with an extraterrestrial narrative, actually delves into exploring human nature and conflicts that arise within various groups. Humans have grown used to hiding within groups, even if it entails actions conflicting with their own beliefs, amplifying human "darkness." It's worth taking a moment to reflect: Do my actions in the past, present, and future genuinely reflect my values?
"District 9" is a presence found in every corner of the world — whether it's an immigrant community or an outsider within a class. Acknowledging these divisions, if we could engage in sincere communication, similar to Wikus and Christopher, we might dissolve the "District 9" that embodies the darker aspects of human nature.
To me, the presence of "District 9" highlights that extraterrestrial beings can also be friends and fellow beings. Because the existence of aliens can both trigger the dark side of human nature and also magnify the goodness within humanity.
Share your thoughts!
Be the first to start the conversation.