Page 1: Full Review, No Spoilers

I went into Parasite blind. Even when there was a trailer on in the cinema, I shut my eyes and this was good enough as I don’t speak Korean. I imagine this is the best way to watch the film and while I will only give away plot elements from the first 15 minutes, if you just want to know whether to watch it, here goes: Go and watch Parasite! It’s really freaking good!!! Sitting at work today, I could not get the film out of my head.

If you just closed the tab and are no longer reading, I don’t blame you. However, if you are still here, then lets begin.

Parasite is a dark social comedy focusing on the poor Kim family. They live in a basement apartment, trying to get by on any gig job they can, smartly scrounging on what is available. The son of the family Ki-Woo (or Kevin as we get to know him) is visited by a college student friend who asks him to tutor Da-Hye. Da-Hye is part of the super rich Park family who have a lovely house, although they aren’t as smart and resourceful as the Kims. Ki-Woo has to fake a college degree to become a tutor, helped by his sister Ki-Jeong (or soon to be Jessica). When Ki-Woo sees that the Parks need an art teacher, he recommends Ki-Jeong under a fake alibi. This is the beginning of a hustle which becomes increasingly elaborate as the Kims look to make a living off the Parks.

The film is genuinely very funny. I laughed out loud multiple times (which I don’t usually do) as did the rest of the cinema I was in.

Every single cast member of this ensemble is on point here. Song Kang-ho steels the show as the father of the Kim house alongside Park So-dam who playes Ki-Jeong. There are other characters who are fantastically cast who I can’t even get in to here, but take my word for it. Each character feels incredibly human and you root for all of them.

The plot feels ridiculous, yet within the bounds of reality. Each action feels normal and yet its unpredictable. You never know which way we are going to go and how the film will ever end, whether it be through characters being very smart or very desperate.

Themes of wealth, respect and ambition run throughout as well. This film really does hold up a mirror towards social structures and struggles of poor within society, yet never screaming at you about it. No character ever feels like a villain, even the ones that seem bad. The themes of wealth are so subtly made. The Parks live up hill in a high place. The Kims live in a basement. The social class of people is physically shown by how high or low they live.

The set pieces are incredible as well. The basement home the Kims live in is a dreary grey, yet they fill it with personality. The Park house in comparison is full of lush vibrant orange and green colours. The outfits seem classy in comparison to the basic choices of the Kims. The showing of the difference between rich and poor is stylistically done.

The music is brilliantly put together as well. When the film becomes more tense, the tone changes just through the score. The score becomes slightly slower instead of the quirky piano music at the beginning.

I can’t really say anymore without spoiling this film and when you watch it, you can look at this review after and see what I was getting at. In the meantime, just take my word for it and go and see it.

Summary

Parasite is pure genius. It’s a brilliant social commentary. It’s a brilliant comedy and thrill ride. Every single line is so smart, the plot is on point. So are the actors. So is the score. I can’t contain my excitement at this absolute masterpiece. [Grade: A+]

Spoilers on Page 2