Parasite is a Powerful Parable

The movies from South Korean director Bong Joon-ho are never afraid to address hefty topics. The Host (not to be confused with the Stephanie Meyer movie of the same name) showcased environmental issues, foreign country relationships and media manipulation amidst the monster movie backdrop and family-drama plot. Snowpiercer (which is basically if Mad Max took place on a train during the Ice Age) displayed the clash between the privileged and the poor and Okja unveiled the horrors of animal abuse and corporate greed.

The Kim family

In Parasite, we follow the Kim family, living in the slums and struggling to make ends meet. Opportunity knocks for the eldest son Ki-woo (Choi Woo-shik) who is given the chance to work for the wealthy Park family as a tutor for their daughter (Jung Ziso). Upon meeting the ditsy mistress Mrs. Park (Cho Yeo-jeong), not only does Ki get the job but manages to get a spot for his sister (Park So-dam) as an art teacher for her energetic young son (Jung Hyun-joon). Through a series of events, the Kim family secure positions with the Parks; the father (Song Kang-ho) being the chauffeur for Mr. Park (Lee Sun-kyun) and their mother (Jang Hye-jin) as the house maid.

Kim Ki-woo (Choi Woo-shik) arriving at the Park estate.

All seems to be well except for the fact that the Parks are unaware that their new house employees know each other and the means they applied to get there.

The Kim siblings trying to get Wi-Fi.

Not only is Parasite Jong-hoo's best movie, it is the best movie of the year. His signature trademarks of tension, family dynamics and the themes of the high and low class are at their strongest. Presenting them in a world not so different from our own reality.

Park Da-hye (Jung Ziso) with her parents
Mr. Park Dong-ik (Lee Sun-kyun) and
Mrs. Choi Yeon-gyo (Cho Yeo-jeong).

By no means do we justify the actions of these characters but in one way or another we understand their plight. The desire to provide for one's family. The yearning of having what the prosperous have. The misguided mindset that since no one is getting hurt, nothing can go wrong. But with every twist and turn the pleasure becomes pain, relief becomes frustration, and what seemed like liberation is now confining.

If this review sounds vague it's because I don't want to say too much about this movie. It is that good.

Song Kang-ho as Kim Ki-taek, waiting for Mr. Park. 

The last thing I can say pertains to South Korean actor Song Kang-ho. In his fourth collaboration with Bong Joon-ho, he gives the best the performance of a lifetime. Give this man an award, he rightly deserves it.

Parasite is a suspenseful satire of the social class. A second viewing is usually needed for me to grasp on Joon-ho's work but with Parasite, all it took was one.

Final Verdict: A+