Parasite - Movie Review

[Spoiler Alert] Go watch the movie first.

At the heart of the movie, social disparity between the rich and the poor is depicted. The protagonist's family (The Kims) lives in a modest semi-basement apartment, whereas the other family (The Parks) lives in a lavish bungalow by a gentle slope. This signifies their standings in society. As the movies closes towards its end, Kims are back underground albeit at different places. Nevertheless, they continue the dream of ascending the social ladder. The topic of class conflict is quite prominent. Mr. Park (Dong-ik) cannot tolerate the stench emanating from a hard-working commoner like Mr. Kim (Ki-taek). In the climax, where Ki-taek sees his family member being attacked and being instructed to take out the car, in a jolt of indecision, murders Dong-ik.

The next interesting aspect that lends the movie its name in English is how powerful are establishing connections in the society. The entire Kim family gets employed through a thread of trust that is built with each consecutive connection. The hosts, Kim family are not bothered by the metaphorical parasites as Dong-ik confesses they cannot do the basic household things like cooking and cleaning without external help. So, the hosts and parasites initially benefit mutually from the agreement.

The way the Kims entered into the house of the Parks is very similar to how parasites infest households. First, the son Ki-woo (Kevin) poises as a college graduate and gains the job of a tutor with the help of referral. His quick thinking to make an entry for his sister Ki-jeong (Jessica) as an art teacher for the kid Da-song. Ki-jeong manipulates the simpleton Park lady, to fire their chauffeur and get her father (Ki-taek) the position. They further manipulate the Park family to finally appoint Mrs. Kims (Chung-sook) the housekeeper.

A stark picture of reality is painted where not only skills, and connections suffice to be employed, but also a certain degree of tact and deceit is required. Remember the Parks were quite happy with the former driver and the housekeeper. And the Kims overpowered their competitors with their unethical yet meticulous schemes to understand the rise of unemployment, one must quote Ki Taek. "When an opening for a security guard attracts 500 university graduates, Our entire family got hired!"

One thing I could not help but notice was how the rain was used to help progress the movie and give its amazing twist. At first, the old housekeeper came with an emergency situation (like attracting a rat to a safer place). There's a fight for survival once her husband joins in. The Kim family wins by sheer majority but is again displaced by the more well-off the Park family. The Kims were so elated with their new found place, that they forgot the older place is susceptible to deluge and risks being submerged.

The traditionally valued Suseok rock did actually bring them good opportunities. But, when Ki-woo drops it accidentally, he gets knocked by the same rock tragically a few scenes later.

One obvious thing to note was how the Korean peninsula has adapted to prepare for a war. It's the little things like Ki-woo serving in the army (South Korea follows conscription), boys pushed to join the scouts, secret bunkers to hide from a nuclear invasion, semi-circular crane formation of some past war with the Japanese to uncanny use of Morse code. The parody of North Korean news reporters is supposedly for comic relief.

Undoubtedly, the film was Oscar worthy. What are your thoughts about it? Comment below.

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