Film - Parasite

The multi-genre Parasite reminds me of a Bollywood movie in a way, it’s a family drama that’s a comedy farce, providing social commentary turning into a thriller with added horror. I hadn’t seen the trailer that eludes the horror or I would have happily skipped towards the latest aimed-at-kids blockbuster. I am so glad I saw Parasite - I’m still thinking about it four days later.

The Korean film centres on the Kim family living in a part basement flat from which the view the world at pavement level. The son finds work as an English tutor to a daughter from a wealthy family. His degree certificate is faked by his sister who he later introduces to the family as an art graduate friend of his cousin. She starts tutoring the younger son. So far, their dishonesty has done no real damage as ‘all wealthy people are gullible’. The kids are getting good tuition and the family can once again afford the most important thing, wi-fi.

Then it becomes a dark comedy. Then the horror starts. There is no one to like or dislike as everyone has good and bad points as we explore each of the stories of the large cast. In fact, over the course of the film, you will get to like and dislike everyone.

Parasite is filled with metaphors and what will become iconic scenes and one-liners. The smell of poverty is likened to those who travel on the subway and live underground - literally beneath the rest of society.

Do you know what kind of plan never fails? No plan.

I wonder who will play the parts in the (inevitable) Hollywood remake in a few years?

 8½/10