Neill Blomkamp's 'District 9' Follow-Up Is a 13-Minute AI-Generated Short Critics Call 'Awful'
The director's new short film, made entirely with generative AI, is described as creatively bankrupt and boring in a scathing review.
“It is a waste of your time, both because it is creatively bankrupt due to being generated by robots, and also because it is boring.”
- Director
- Neill Blomkamp
- Starring
- Sharlto Copley
- Release
- 2009
- Genre
- Science Fiction
- Where to Watch
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
According to Kotaku, the film is a test for a potential full-length feature using the same technology.
What is the film about?
The story, allegedly inspired by the book Echopraxia by Peter Watts, follows a woman on a U.S. military operation in Syria whose helicopter crashes. She is then implanted with a device that turns her into a "killer zombie" forced to fight others. The plot is framed in a rough documentary style, but the reviewer found it derivative and lacking in interesting ideas.
Why is the film being criticized?
"It is a waste of your time," the critic wrote.
The short film "Nightborne" serves as his first full test.
What is Blomkamp known for?
Neill Blomkamp is best known for directing the 2009 sci-fi hit District 9, which was nominated for four Academy Awards. The film, starring Sharlto Copley, is a critically praised allegory about xenophobia and has a 90% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. His subsequent work includes Elysium and Gran Turismo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch 'Nightborne'?
The film was released by Neill Blomkamp on his social media channels. A direct link to the 13-minute short was included in his post on July 20, 2026.
Is 'Nightborne' related to 'District 9' or 'District 10'?
No. According to the reporting, the film is "not related in any way to District 9." It is a standalone project created as a test for AI filmmaking, not a sequel to Blomkamp's earlier work.
Will there be a full-length AI movie from Blomkamp?
Blomkamp has stated his intent to make a full-length feature using this AI format, calling "Nightborne" a "test start." However, no official project has been announced beyond this experimental short.
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