Parasite

   Parasite (2019), directed by Bong Joon-ho, is a dark comedy-thriller that explores themes of class disparity, greed, and social inequality through the story of two families from opposite ends of the socio-economic spectrum. The film follows the Kim family, who live in poverty in a cramped basement apartment and struggle to make ends meet. When the son, Ki-woo, gets a chance to tutor for the wealthy Park family, the Kims hatch a plan to infiltrate the Park household, slowly securing jobs for each member of the family by deceitfully displacing the existing staff. 

   As the Kims become entrenched in the luxurious lives of the Parks, the film cleverly balances humor and suspense, exposing the deep chasm between the wealthy and the poor. The two families seem to coexist peacefully until a dark secret is uncovered in the Park mansion’s basement, leading to a dramatic escalation. As tensions rise, the film shifts from a satirical comedy to a tense thriller, exploring the brutal consequences of the Kims’ deception and their desperate attempts to survive.

   The film’s final act is marked by a violent confrontation that lays bare the stark reality of class struggle. In a moment of chaos during the Park family’s garden party, simmering tensions between the wealthy and the poor explode, resulting in tragic consequences. Parasite ends on a somber note, leaving the audience to reflect on the futility of trying to escape the rigid boundaries of class and wealth in modern society.

Plot Highlights

   The Kim family, led by the cunning father Ki-taek, infiltrates the home of the wealthy Park family by faking their qualifications and replacing the household staff one by one. As they enjoy the luxuries of the Park home, they discover that the former housekeeper’s husband has been living in the basement for years. This secret sets off a chain of events that leads to a violent climax during a garden party, where simmering class tensions erupt into tragedy. Ki-taek, in a moment of rage, kills Mr. Park and flees, leaving the future of both families uncertain.

Theme

   The central theme of Parasite is class struggle and the widening gap between the rich and the poor. The Kim family’s deception is driven by their desperation to escape poverty, while the Park family’s obliviousness to their privilege highlights the vast divide between the two social classes. The film also explores the idea of parasitism, as both families depend on each other in different ways, though the Kims’ infiltration of the Parks’ lives ultimately leads to destruction. The film critiques capitalism and social inequality, showing how both the wealthy and the poor are trapped in a system that breeds resentment and violence.

Character Analysis

   Kim Ki-taek (Song Kang-ho): Ki-taek, the patriarch of the Kim family, is a resourceful and cunning man who orchestrates the infiltration of the Park household. His growing resentment toward the Parks’ wealth and indifference to the struggles of the poor culminates in a shocking act of violence. Ki-taek’s character represents the frustrations of the working class, caught in a cycle of poverty with little hope of escape.

   Kim Ki-woo (Choi Woo-shik): Ki-woo, the son of the Kim family, is the one who first gains access to the Park household through a tutoring job. His aspirations to rise out of poverty are at the heart of the family's scheme. However, his ambition leads to devastating consequences as he becomes complicit in the deception.

   Park Dong-ik (Lee Sun-kyun): Mr. Park, the wealthy patriarch of the Park family, is a successful businessman who represents the upper class. He is oblivious to the struggles of the Kims and treats his staff with a casual, though polite, sense of superiority. His character symbolizes the insensitivity of the rich toward the suffering of the poor.

   Kim Chung-sook (Jang Hye-jin): Chung-sook, the mother of the Kim family, takes over the role of housekeeper in the Park household. She is practical and sharp, but her involvement in the scheme also leads to the family’s eventual downfall. Like the rest of her family, she is driven by the desire for a better life.

Reception and Impact

   Parasite was a global phenomenon, receiving universal critical acclaim for its sharp social commentary, gripping plot, and brilliant performances. It became the first South Korean film to win the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and made history at the 2020 Academy Awards by winning Best Picture, the first non-English language film to do so. It also won Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature Film at the Oscars, solidifying its status as a cultural landmark.

   The film resonated deeply with audiences worldwide for its timely critique of wealth inequality and the struggles of the working class. Parasite was celebrated for its genre-bending narrative, seamlessly blending elements of dark comedy, thriller, and drama. Bong Joon-ho’s masterful direction and the film’s layered storytelling made it a powerful statement on modern capitalism, class struggle, and the often invisible boundaries that divide society.

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