Parasite Review: A Genre-Defying Class Satire
9.5/10 — Parasite (2019)
Pros
- Brilliant genre-blending script
- Clever visual storytelling
- Flawless ensemble
Cons
- Abrupt violent turn
The impoverished Kim family cons their way into jobs with the wealthy Park family, until a secret threatens to unravel everything. It was the first non-English-language film to win Best Picture.
What works
Bong shifts effortlessly between comedy, thriller and tragedy, and the film’s use of vertical space, from semi-basement to hillside mansion, is a clever visual metaphor for class. The ensemble is flawless, and the set pieces, including a flooding sequence, are thrilling and devastating.
Where it falters
The last act’s turn into violence may be shocking for some, and the satire is not subtle.
Verdict
Smart, funny, suspenseful and heartbreaking. A modern masterpiece.
