PARASITE – REWATCH

The Kim family, consisting of father Ki-taek (Song Kang-ho), mother Chung-sook (Chang Hyae-jin), son Ki-woo (Choi Woo-shik) and daughter Ki-jung (Park So-dam) live together in a cramped and dingy basement basement. Struggling to make ends meet, they fold pizza boxes for a measly wage. Their luck changes when Ki-woo cons his way into an English tutoring position for the daughter of the wealthy Park family. Sensing an opportunity to escape poverty, the Kims systematically manipulate their way into the Park household. Ki-taek replaces the chauffeur, Chung-sook ousts the housekeeper, and Ki-jung poses as an art therapist. While pretending to be unrelated, qualified professionals, the Kims begin to leech off the Parks’ affluent lifestyle, until an unexpected threat jeopardies their ruse. Strong on social commentary and with many metaphorical class divides, this film asks the question “Who is the parasite?” Is it the impoverished and opportunistic Kim family, or the wealthy Parks who rely on hired help? With superb acting, a stunning custom built set, swift pacing, an engaging story, and a few epic plot twists, this was a worthy winner of four Oscar’s in 2020 including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature Film. It also won the Palme d’Or at Cannes. A cautionary tale of how oppression can spill over into violent desperation. In Korean with English subtitles.