Attack the Block is a science fiction film written and directed by Joe Cornish and released in 2011. The film was produced by Big Talk productions, lead by Edgar Wright who was the executive producer. Along several young first time actors, the film is starring Nick Frost, Jodie Whittaker and Luke Treadaway.
The plot of Attack the Block revolves around a gang of teens in South London who while mugging nurse Sam (played by Jodie Whittaker) become witness to an alien invasion when fiery objects falls from the sky, one of which crashes on top of a parked car near them. After killing the first alien they discovered, more aliens show up and the gang is forced to defend their city blocks from the aliens with the help, among others, their local drug dealer Ron (played by Nick Frost).
Attack the block premiered at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas on 12 March 2011, and was released to the public in the UK on 12 May 2011. Despite being a directorial debut and a genre blending film containing science fiction, horror, action, comedy and drama, the film was well received by most critics both after the SXSW festival and the cinema release.