“Parasite” (2019) is a critically acclaimed South Korean dark comedy thriller directed by Bong Joon-ho. The film won widespread international recognition, including the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, making it the first non-English language film to win the award in the festival’s history. Parasite also achieved significant success at the Academy Awards, winning Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature Film.
Plot Summary
Parasite revolves around the complex dynamics between two families from different social classes, focusing on the Kim family, who are struggling to make ends meet, and the Park family, who live a life of luxury.
- The Kim family: The Kims are a poor, underprivileged family living in a semi-basement apartment. The father, Ki-taek (played by Song Kang-ho), is a former businessman struggling to find stable work, while the mother, Chung-sook (played by Chang Hyae-jin), takes on menial jobs to support her family. Their two children are Ki-woo (played by Choi Woo-shik), a young man with big dreams, and Ki-jung (played by Park So-dam), a crafty and creative young woman.
The Kims’ lives change when Ki-woo is given the opportunity to tutor Park Da-hye (played by Jung Ziso), the daughter of the wealthy Park family. Through his newfound position as a tutor, Ki-woo begins to weave a plan to infiltrate the Park family by recommending his sister Ki-jung to take on another job as an art therapist for the Parks’ young son, Park Da-song (played by Jung Hyeon-jun).
As Ki-woo and Ki-jung successfully infiltrate the Park family’s life, the entire Kim family schemes to replace the Park family’s household staff with themselves, using deception and manipulation to secure positions as tutor, housekeeper, driver, and maid. The Kims gradually establish themselves within the Park family’s home, all while hiding their true identities from their employers.
The plot takes a darker turn when the Kim family uncovers a secret that the Parks’ mansion holds, and the story’s tension escalates, ultimately revealing the volatile, unpredictable nature of the characters’ relationships and social stratification.
Themes
- Class Struggle and Social Inequality: One of the central themes of Parasite is the exploration of social inequality, particularly the divide between the rich and the poor. The Kim family, living in poverty, must resort to deception and manipulation to survive, while the Park family remains oblivious to the struggles of the lower class. The film critiques the way society often perpetuates this divide and the lengths to which people will go to either maintain their privileged position or climb out of poverty.
- Deception and Survival: The Kim family’s manipulation of the Park family highlights the theme of survival, with the Kims resorting to deception and lying as a means of achieving upward mobility. The story examines the moral ambiguities of survival in a society that doesn’t offer opportunities equally to everyone.
- The Illusion of Class: The film portrays the false perceptions that both the rich and the poor have of each other. The Parks view the Kims as beneath them and incapable of understanding the luxury of their lives, while the Kims view the Parks as naive and unaware of their struggles. Parasite reveals how the rich and the poor are often unaware of the full scope of each other’s lives, and how class differences shape behavior and relationships.
- Greed and Ambition: The characters’ desire to improve their circumstances drives much of the plot. Both families demonstrate greed in different forms: the Kims crave wealth and status, while the Parks display their greed through the assumption that their privileged life is a natural right. The film critiques these ambitions, particularly when they lead to destructive consequences.
- The Consequences of Social Pretension: The film highlights how social status and pretense affect individuals’ lives, especially when they clash. Both families, despite their differences, are trapped in cycles of ambition and illusion that ultimately lead to tragedy.
Characters and Cast
- Ki-taek (played by Song Kang-ho): The father of the Kim family. A former businessman, Ki-taek is intelligent and resourceful but struggles to find work. His character serves as the moral center of the film, navigating the ethical complexities of his family’s deceit.
- Chung-sook (played by Chang Hyae-jin): Ki-taek’s wife, who is more pragmatic and ruthless when it comes to securing their family’s survival.
- Ki-woo (played by Choi Woo-shik): The son of the Kim family, who initially becomes the tutor to the Park family’s daughter. Ki-woo is the first to infiltrate the wealthy world of the Parks and serves as the catalyst for the family’s schemes.
- Ki-jung (played by Park So-dam): Ki-woo’s sister, a clever and quick-witted young woman who helps orchestrate the family’s infiltration of the Park household.
- Park Dong-ik (played by Lee Sun-kyun): The wealthy father of the Park family. He is an arrogant businessman who views himself as deserving of his privileged lifestyle.
- Chung-sook (played by Jang Hye-jin): The Park family’s housekeeper. Initially unaware of the Kim family’s manipulation, her role becomes central to the unfolding drama.
- Moon-gwang (played by Lee Jung-eun): The Park family’s previous housekeeper, who hides a dark secret in the basement of their luxurious home. Her character adds a suspenseful element to the story.
Reception
Parasite received overwhelming critical acclaim worldwide. It was praised for its clever screenplay, masterful direction, and strong performances. Many critics noted its ability to blend genres seamlessly—combining elements of dark comedy, thriller, and drama into one cohesive narrative. The film’s examination of class inequality and social dynamics resonated deeply with audiences globally, leading it to become one of the most successful foreign films in recent history.
At the Academy Awards in 2020, Parasite made history by becoming the first non-English language film to win Best Picture, a historic achievement that marked a shift in the recognition of international cinema by mainstream Hollywood. Bong Joon-ho also won Best Director, and the film took home several other awards, including Best Original Screenplay.
Style and Tone
Parasite has a distinctive style that blends suspense, satire, and dark humor with moments of tragedy. Bong Joon-ho’s direction allows the film to move fluidly between tones, creating a suspenseful atmosphere one moment and a comedic one the next. The film’s pacing is sharp, building tension and intrigue with each scene, as the audience becomes more engrossed in the Kims’ increasingly complex web of lies.
Visually, the film is marked by its stunning cinematography. The juxtaposition of the starkly different homes of the Kims and the Parks is used to symbolize the socio-economic divide. The Parks’ sleek, modern mansion contrasts sharply with the Kims’ cramped, semi-basement apartment, emphasizing the characters’ differences in class.
Conclusion
Parasite (2019) is a masterpiece that deftly critiques social class, inequality, and human nature. Bong Joon-ho’s direction, combined with a brilliant screenplay and outstanding performances, makes the film an unforgettable experience. It is a blend of dark humor, suspense, and poignant commentary on modern society, and its historical success marks a turning point for foreign-language films in global cinema. Parasite will be remembered not only for its Oscar wins but also for its ability to resonate with audiences worldwide, making it a landmark in the history of filmmaking.
