Neill Blomkamp and Sharlto Copley shine in 5 epic movies

Neill Blomkamp is a visionary director whose undying love for science fiction has made him synonymous with the genre. Alive in Joburg showcased the filmmaker’s brimming talents, a short film that resulted in the full-fledged adaptation, District 9. A smash hit for the South African-born filmmaker, this alien invasion action thriller landed four Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, on the crest of commercial and critical acclaim worldwide. 

While Blomkamp’s meteoric rise to fame made him seem like an overnight success story, his career has showcased his unlimited potential and imagination when it comes to sci-fi and filmmaking. Attached to a number of film projects over the years, including the pioneering Oats Studios, Blomkamp’s trademark style has made him an exciting prospect with roots that seem to extend in all directions. Get a sense for the full spectrum of the auteur’s influence with this selection of films – each one degree of separation.  

Chappie 

AI is a major talking point right now, which makes Neill Blomkamp’s sci-fi action thriller Chappie more relevant than ever. The movie centres on a police robot who develops consciousness after being augmented with artificial intelligence. Voiced by Sharlto Copley, who delivers his usual brand of quirk with nuance and empathy, he’s supported by a game Dev Patel and Hugh Jackman in equally unconventional performances. 

Leaning into many of the distinguishing features of District 9 and Elysium, Chappie is a thought-provoking exploration of the nature of humanity, consciousness and free will. It’s also an entertaining, spirited and visually captivating film with some truly great action sequences and imaginative moments. Featuring Afrikaans alternative hip hop group Die Antwoord, this eclectic and pulpy film is an unapologetic original with a unique South African slant – a curious gem. 

District 9

Neill Blomkamp’s calling card is still District 9, a visually stunning sci-fi action thriller that remains the standard by which every one of his films is measured. This alien invasion epic starts like a mockumentary, immersing us in this divergent world. Our reluctant tour guide is government employee Wikus van der Merwe, who comes into contact with an alien substance after being tasked with evicting alien refugees living in a Joburg slum. 

Incredible CGI, gritty performances and an authentic sense of place makes District 9 believable and a feast for the eyes. Sharlto Copley, in a breakthrough performance as the film’s secret weapon, leads the charge with a memorable and well-balanced performance. Grappling with timely themes around alienation and segregation, District 9 remains both edgy and entertaining. 

Demonic 

One of Blomkamp’s most recent films, Demonic signals a new direction for the celebrated sci-fi writer-director. Blending a much stronger horror element, more in line with his work with Oats Studios, this film taps into the heady arena of virtual reality as a young woman reconnects with her estranged mother. Using a new experimental technology, Carly is able to communicate with Angela by entering her subconscious mind only to discover her mother’s locked-in syndrome is caused by demon possession. 

Demonic stars Carly Pope and Nathalie Boltt in a precarious mother-daughter dynamic as flashbacks reveal their dysfunctional and dark past. Venturing into the nightmarish realm of The Cell, this timely sci-fi horror finds Blomkamp wrestling with family, possession and trauma. A visually striking and unsettling film, Demonic is eerie, suspenseful and thought-provoking in its exploration of the bounds of the subconscious and how it intersects with technology.    

Ted K 

Sharlto Copley is a figurehead for Neill Blomkamp’s world-building with leading roles in District 9, Elysium and Chappie, even playing the creator in God: Serengeti. While linked to Blomkamp, the collaborator has also branched out on his own, starring in The A-Team, Free Fire, The Europa Report, Hardcore Henry and most recently Ted K. This artful biographical crime drama chronicles Ted Kaczynski’s life in Lincoln, Montana, in the years before his capture as The Unabomber.  

A fly-on-the-wall blend of Into the Wild and Castaway, it’s led by a strangely compelling and intuitive performance from Copley. Tapping into his character history, it channels the actor’s comic, charming yet volatile Mad Murdock energy. Ted K is experimental, offering an intimate foray into the man’s motives and curious relationship with nature, using its soundtrack, sound design, and visuals to create a compelling and hypnotic film experience.  

Beast

Having been a longtime collaborator with Neill Blomkamp, it’s difficult to forget Sharlto Copley’s inextricable link to the world-renowned director. Constantly paying tribute to his South African origins in his various film roles and often cast as a mercenary, it’s curious to see Copley playing a game ranger in survival action adventure Beast. In a supporting role to Idris Elba, Copley brandishes his unassuming charm as a guide to a father and his two teenage daughters who become prey to a rogue lion in Africa. 

Elba and Copley’s star power compels this safari horror thriller, which recalls elements from Crawl, The Ghost and The Darkness as well as The Revenant. Besides Copley’s presence, full tilt action and the “monster movie” horror element, there’s not all that much that connects Blomkamp to Beast. While fairly straightforward in terms of plotting, there’s enough edgy survival action to add up to a suspenseful and pulsating thrill ride.   

Bonus pick: RoboCop

After District 9’s runaway success, Neill Blomkamp became the new kid on the block, attached to much-anticipated franchise reboots such as Alien and RoboCop. Having a strong affinity for futuristic weaponry, offbeat satire and violence, it’s easy to see why Blomkamp was a frontrunner for the saga’s resurrection. The remake of the 1987 Paul Verhoeven classic eventually went to José Padilha with Joel Kinnaman as the police officer turned cyborg, RoboCop. 

While Blomkamp didn’t find himself in the director’s chair, this slick, star-studded and visually spectacular actioner still holds strong with its array of impressive visual effects. Kinnaman delivers a solid performance in a more emotionally focused take on the Robocop story, ably supported by a stellar cast in Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, and Samuel L Jackson.  

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