Parasite Review

The complexity and cleverness that oozes from writer/director Bong Joon Ho’s newest film Parasite immediately conjures a brilliantly mischievous narrative that’s endlessly fortified with deeply woven characters and a radically shifting pace, completely unafraid to brutally flip expectations. Almost immediately, Bong Joon Ho quickly eases viewers into his fantastic world-building with how he handles his craft, meticulously blending immaculate humor with twisted thrills through a layered story structure that always finds an interesting payoff. Combined with the magnetic chemistry of the cast and Bong Joon Ho’s calculated approach to each element, Parasite creates a rich odyssey that’s as rewarding as it is captivating.

Parasite follows the Kim’s, a struggling Korean family at the edge of poverty, trying to make their living working various low-paying gigs like folding pizza boxes. Their hard times continue until a friend of Ki-woo Kim visits and gives them a sacred rock that brings luck and wealth to whoever is in its possession, suggesting to Ki-woo that he should try and take on a job as an English tutor for a financially successful family. After some consideration, Ki-woo takes up the offer and gets the job, beginning a relationship with the extremely wealthy Park family that begins to unravel into something that neither parties could ever expect.

Parasite demands attention, as Bong Joon Ho’s commanding skill subtly turns light-hearted events into scenes brimming with tension and trickery. The incredible precision in editing heightens the layers of comedy and suspense to astonishing heights, forging punchlines and unsettling events that never feel forced or out of place, resulting in a world that’s easily believable and immersive. The immaculate script gives a plethora of opportunities to submerge viewers into a false sense of security through clever moments of predictability, Bong Joon Ho’s masterful filmmaking constantly takes advantage of this, annihilating what’s expected to drastically shift the overall tone, while this could easily create tonal inconsistencies throughout, Bong Joon Ho’s composure ensures that this never happens, constantly showing that he is in complete control.

While the narrative that Bong Joon Ho has made is deeply layered and complex, it’s not flawless. Some creative decisions that the third act depends on lack the equanimity to come off as believable or validated, ultimately causing the film to lose a bit of momentum towards the end. It’s an issue that would otherwise go unnoticed if the problematic action wasn’t the catalyst behind the ending, but unsurprisingly, Bong Joon Ho’s level-headedness can prevent this issue from spoiling an incredibly memorable last act.

Overall, Parasite is a relentlessly shocking and surprising experience that’s exquisitely crafted by a writer/director in top form. Just when you think you know where the film is heading, Bong Joon Ho unfolds more to an already rich world. Expertly crafted and brilliantly original, Parasite cements Bong Joon Ho as a master storyteller.

The immaculate execution of nearly every element combined with the genre-bending narrative makes Parasite an unforgettable experience.

Produced By: Neon Pictures
Runtime: 132 minutes
Rating: R