Parasite - Classism and the thriller genre collide

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 How “Parasite” Falls Short of Greatness | The New Yorker

This review contains spoilers. If you haven't seen Parasite, watch it ASAP!.

Parasite is a true masterpiece from start to finish, so conceptually and thematically strong. Bong Joon-ho directs the hell out of a wonderful selection of actors. Each main family member gets plenty of development on their own, but when they come together, their scheming and grasping nature grows tenfold. Their infiltration of a wealthy family through every facet of their life is not the only parasite present here, though. The old housekeeper herself is a parasite in a very surprising way that creates a massive tonal shift in the middle of the movie.

Split genres do wonders for the storytelling by making you quite comfortable (much like the Kim family) before throwing you for a tense loop. The first half builds up each Kim as they become integrated into the Park family in different ways. Parasite is really funny, between the dialogue and the ridiculous schemes and plans the Kim family comes up with to get their way. When it all comes to a head on that rainy night, the back half of the movie sees the stakes raised in unexpected, brutal ways. The atmosphere changes so rapidly that it pulls you and puts you in the shoes of the Kim family.

Parasite is especially gorgeous as well, with the custom built house packed full of sleek details and a unique layout. The Kim residence is basically the opposite, packed full of dingy details and a condensed layout. Both of these sets are utilized well from a cinematography perspective, with so many wide shots that capture the wall to wall mansion experience. Believe it or not, there's actually quite a bit of CGI used parts of the house, but you'd never know if it wasn't pointed out. Parasite is easily my favorite foreign film, and the perfect blend of comedy and thriller genres. I really love this movie, and it deserves it's spot in my top 20 list.

 

Comments

  1. Kendalyn MCBRIDENovember 7, 2023 at 9:08 PM

    Hi James, I enjoyed reading your post and this film was one of the first foreign films I ever watched. Split genres are always thrilling to me and this film was no different! The Kims family scheme was tedious and very risky. While the ending was sad I felt it was realistic. Also I had no idea some of the set was CGI and it was well done because I thought everything looked real. After watching this film, what are some differences that you think would be present in the movie if this film took place in America?

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  2. James BramleyNovember 29, 2023 at 5:32 AM

    Hello James! The movie is genuinely really good. One of the things it does really well is balance its plot and its themes. When the plot over shadows the themes, media just becomes something to enjoy casually. When the themes are too strong, they make it so that only high-minded people with a lot of experience dissecting movies can enjoy it. The movie blends its themes to its plot in such a way that neither get in the way of the other, you can enjoy the movie as a thriller/social commentary separately or simultaneously. One thing that stuck out to me is the idea that the Park family is a reference to Park Chung Hee, the Korean leader responsible for much of the economic boom from the 60s and 70s.

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