Wikus van de Merwe is a fictional character from the 2009 science fiction film District 9, directed by Neill Blomkamp. He is portrayed as a bureaucrat working for a multinational corporation tasked with managing an alien population in South Africa. The film explores themes of xenophobia and social segregation through his character's experiences. As the story progresses, Wikus undergoes a significant transformation after coming into contact with alien technology. This change leads him to empathize with the aliens, known as Prawns, and challenges his initial beliefs. His journey highlights the complexities of identity and humanity in a divided society.