As someone unfamiliar with Korean, it might be tempting to avoid Bong Joon-Ho’s Parasite (2019). However, any true movie lover would regret missing out on this masterpiece.
Parasite is a dark and twisted thriller with suspense throughout and even some sprinkles of humor.
The film centers on the Kim family: a father, mother, son, and daughter, all dirt-poor and living in a cramped basement.
When a job opportunity to be an English tutor for the rich Park family presents itself to Kim Ki-woo, the son, he seizes the opportunity and ends up helping his entire family.
Ki-woo is the first to secure a position, recommended as a tutor for the Parks’ daughter, Da-hye, through a forged university document. Ki-jung, his sister, follows by posing as an experienced art therapist for the Parks’ young son, Da-song, thanks to Ki-woo’s recommendation. The siblings then orchestrated getting the Parks’ chauffeur fired and landing their father, Ki-taek, the job. Finally, they conspire to remove the longtime housekeeper, Moon-gwang, replacing her with their mother, Chung-sook.
Now that the Kim’s entire poor family is employed by the same family and household, you can imagine what may happen when the Parks take off for a camping trip.
With shocking mysteries, unexpected villains, and questionable decisions, the Kims find themselves in some tough situations in the movie. I don’t want to go too far into detail and spoil some of the surprises, but trust me your jaw will hit the floor by the time it’s over.
Even with the characters speaking in Korean, English subtitles are provided at the bottom, making it easy to follow the story.
The cast does an amazing job, with Song Kang-ho standing out as the clever and relatable father. The characters feel real and each adds something unique to the story. The visuals are striking, especially the difference between the Kims’ tiny basement home and the Parks’ fancy mansion, which highlights the gap between the rich and poor. Seeing the two lifestyles interact with one another was fascinating because the motives and mannerisms of the families are just so different.
My favorite scene of the movie is a barbecue for Da-song’s birthday party, but this comes at the very end and is the climax of the movie as well as the height of the action, so I’ll leave a hint and you’ll know when you see it: it’s straight mayhem!
Joon-ho directed a masterfully crafted, well-paced film that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll. Parasite is a thought-provoking masterpiece that offers a unique and unforgettable movie experience.