Parasite Review

Release: 2019 Director: Joon-ho Bong

I have been waiting eagerly for this film to come out ever since I saw the first trailer. Seriously, go watch it right now, just “Parasite trailer” and try to explain the plot from that. You really can’t, it starts in one way and ends on a completely different tone. This is also the director of Netflix’s Okja and Snowpiercer, so I know he can create really unique films. What we got was one of the most terrifying movies in recent years with a concept so simple yet evil, but still you are rooting for the protagonists.

Ki-woo (Woo-Sik Choi) and his family live in a world of poverty where taking menial jobs is the only way to survive. He is offered the chance to teach the daughter of a wealthy Park family even though he has no college degree, all he has to do is fake it. He is able to convince the Parks that he knows someone, that being his own family, who can also help them out. Thus the lines of trust, wealth, privacy, and dependency begin to be crossed in what becomes a symbiotic relationship between these two families.

Should clarify, this is not a horror movie. Also something that the trailer really can’t pin down, Parasite isn’t trying to make you jump in your seats. It’s terrifying because you are watching events unfold that will unnerve you. You root for the protagonists even though you are fully aware that what they are doing is quite evil. Their lives are relatable and hit home to the audience. Which makes it harder as the film goes on and you realize who is being hurt by the actions you are rooting for.

While I love the build up of the story and the characters, I believe the third act is added solely for the movie to have a longer run time. There is tension by the introduction of a secondary problem, it does seem unnecessary when we are so invested in the Chan family. I can’t complain heavily because in the end I enjoy the pay off, but if the last act had been cut down for a shorter run time I wouldn’t complain.

Parasite is a deep dive into the idea that people can interject themselves into others lives and the harm or good that can come out of it. It is incredibly well shot and scored, one of the best films of the year. It isn’t going to be for everyone, it has heavy themes, and at times can drag itself for the inevitable payoff. But after the credits rolled I was thinking about it well into the next few days and has cemented itself as one of my new favorite movies of the year.

How far will you go to make you and your families lives better?