Parasite (2019)

 

Plot

The film follows the Kim family, who live in a semi-basement apartment, struggling to make ends meet. Each member—Ki-taek (Song Kang-ho), his wife Chung-sook (Jang Hye-jin), and their children Ki-woo (Choi Woo-shik) and Ki-jung (Park So-dam)—is unemployed, scraping by through odd jobs and scams.

Their lives change when Ki-woo is hired as an English tutor for the wealthy Park family. Using clever manipulation, the Kims infiltrate the Park household one by one, replacing the existing staff without the Parks realizing they are related. However, their plan spirals out of control when they discover the former housekeeper, Moon-gwang (Lee Jung-eun), has been hiding her husband, Geun-sae (Park Myung-hoon), in the house’s secret basement. The collision of these two families leads to chaos, violence, and a haunting exploration of class conflict.

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Themes

1. Class Inequality:

   • The film starkly contrasts the lives of the poor Kims and the affluent Parks, symbolized by their respective homes (the cramped semi-basement vs. the luxurious modern mansion).

2. Social Mobility:

   • The Kims’ infiltration of the Park household represents a desperate attempt to escape poverty, highlighting the illusion of upward mobility in a deeply unequal society.

3. Parasitism:

   • The title refers to how both families depend on each other—the Kims leeching off the Parks’ wealth and the Parks relying on the Kims’ labor—raising questions about who the real "parasites" are.

4. Hidden Realities:

   • The discovery of the secret basement reflects the hidden struggles of the underprivileged, often invisible to the wealthy.

5. Respect and Dignity:

   • The Parks’ subtle disdain for the Kims, particularly their comments about Ki-taek’s smell, symbolizes the dehumanizing effects of class disparity.

6. Survival and Morality:

   • The film explores how poverty drives people to compromise their morals, blurring the line between victim and perpetrator.

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Characters and Performances

1. Ki-taek (Song Kang-ho):

   • Song Kang-ho delivers a nuanced performance as the Kim patriarch, capturing his resignation, desperation, and eventual breaking point.

2. Chung-sook (Jang Hye-jin):

   • The pragmatic and tough Kim matriarch, Jang balances humor and emotional depth, especially in the film’s chaotic second half.

3. Ki-woo (Choi Woo-shik):

   • As the ambitious son, Choi portrays the naivety and hope of a young man striving for a better life.

4. Ki-jung (Park So-dam):

   • Park steals scenes with her sharp wit and cunning, particularly in her transformation into the "art therapist" Jessica.

5. The Park Family:

   • Mrs. Park (Cho Yeo-jeong) is naive and gullible, while Mr. Park (Lee Sun-kyun) exudes entitlement and superiority. Their children add layers to the family dynamic, particularly their young son’s fascination with the "Indian" motif.

6. Moon-gwang and Geun-sae:

   • Lee Jung-eun and Park Myung-hoon deliver standout performances as the housekeeper and her hidden husband, bringing both humor and tragedy to their roles.

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Direction and Screenwriting

Bong Joon-ho’s direction is a masterclass in storytelling:

1. Genre-Blending:

   • Seamlessly transitions from comedy to thriller to tragedy without losing coherence or emotional impact.

2. Tight Script:

   • Every scene is purposeful, filled with foreshadowing, symbolism, and tension. The balance of humor and dark undertones is impeccable.

3. Social Commentary:

   • Bong critiques capitalism and inequality without being didactic, embedding these themes organically into the narrative.

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Cinematography and Visuals

1. Symbolism in Space:

   • The verticality of the Kims’ semi-basement and the Parks’ mansion reflects the social hierarchy.
   • The basement serves as a metaphor for the hidden underclass in society.

2. Production Design:

   • The Park mansion is meticulously designed, becoming a character in itself. Its open layout contrasts with the Kims’ claustrophobic living space.

3. Rain and Flooding:

   • A pivotal rainstorm destroys the Kims’ home while being a mere inconvenience for the Parks, symbolizing the unequal impact of disasters on different social classes.

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Music

Jung Jae-il’s score complements the film’s shifting tones:

1. Classical Influences:
   • Reflects the refined world of the Parks while contrasting with the Kims’ chaotic schemes.
2. Tension Building:
   • The music heightens suspense, particularly in the scenes leading to the explosive climax.

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Memorable Scenes

1. Peach Allergy Scheme:

   • The Kims’ plan to oust the housekeeper is both hilarious and chilling, showcasing their ingenuity and ruthlessness.

2. The Birthday Party:

   • The chaotic climax, where violence erupts during the Parks’ celebration, is shocking and devastating.

3. The Flood:

   • The Kims’ return to their flooded home is one of the film’s most poignant moments, emphasizing their vulnerability and helplessness.

4. The Basement Revelation:

   • The discovery of the hidden bunker is a turning point, adding layers of complexity to the story.

5. The Ending:

   • Ki-taek’s disappearance and Ki-woo’s dream of reuniting with him are heart-wrenching, leaving viewers questioning the possibility of escape from systemic inequality.

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Themes and Symbolism

1. The Rock:

   • The scholar’s rock given to Ki-woo symbolizes false hope and the crushing weight of societal expectations.

2. The Smell:

   • The recurring motif of smell underscores the Parks’ disdain for the Kims, highlighting how poverty is stigmatized.

3. The Stairs:

   • Stairs are a recurring visual metaphor for social ascent and descent, both literal and figurative.

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Critical and Cultural Impact

1. Awards and Recognition:

   • Won 4 Oscars (Best Picture, Best Director, Best International Feature Film, Best Original Screenplay).
   • The first Korean film to achieve this level of international acclaim.

2. Social Relevance:

   • Sparked discussions about class inequality and systemic oppression worldwide.

3. Legacy:

   • Redefined global cinema, proving that non-English films can achieve universal acclaim and commercial success.

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Criticism

1. Pacing:
   • Some critics felt the tonal shift in the second half was jarring, although others viewed it as a strength.
2. Ambiguity:
   • The ending leaves questions unanswered, which might frustrate viewers seeking closure.

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Conclusion

"Parasite" is a brilliant, multi-layered exploration of class, human behavior, and societal structures. Bong Joon-ho masterfully blends genres to create a film that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. Its sharp social commentary, impeccable storytelling, and unforgettable performances make it a cinematic triumph.

Rating 

My rating - 5/5

IMDB - 8.5/10