District 9 (2009)

District 9 (2009), directed by Neill Blomkamp, is a groundbreaking sci-fi film set in an alternate Johannesburg where alien refugees live in slum-like conditions. The story follows Wikus van de Merwe, a bureaucrat who becomes infected with alien DNA and must survive in the segregated district while uncovering government conspiracies. Shot in a documentary style with impressive visual effects on a modest budget, the film serves as a powerful allegory for apartheid, xenophobia, and social segregation. Praised for its originality and social commentary, District 9 earned four Oscar nominations including Best Picture, launching Blomkamp's career as a visionary sci-fi director.