PARASITE – “An equal parts darkly funny and thrill-inducing masterwork”
RATING
DIRECTOR
Bong Joon-ho (Snowpiercer – 2013)
STARRING
- Song Kang-ho as Kim Ki-taek
- Jang Hye-jin as Kim Chung-sook
- Choi Woo-shik as Kim Ki-woo
- Park So-dam as Kim Ki-jeong
- Lee Sun-kyun as Mr. Park
- Cho Yeo-jeong as Mrs. Park
- Jung Ji-so as Park Da-hye
SYNOPSIS
Meet the Park Family: the picture of aspirational wealth. And the Kim Family, rich in street smarts but not much else. Be it chance or fate, these two houses are brought together and the Kims sense a golden opportunity. Masterminded by college-aged Ki-woo, the Kim children expediently install themselves as tutor and art therapist, to the Parks. Soon, a symbiotic relationship forms between the two families. The Kims provide "indispensable" luxury services while the Parks obliviously bankroll their entire household.
REVIEW SUMMARY
Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite is an equal parts darkly funny and thrill-inducing masterwork. In short: it’s an absolute must watch! But here’s the thing - the less you know going in, the better. You see, the “have VS have not” story is one that is incredibly well laid out, leaving you hanging on every new circumstance and revelation that comes about. Said plot is also impeccably layered with wonderfully poignant themes about working class frustration and wealthy carefreeness. But beyond all that, it’s wickedly entertaining, with a real sense of urgency that hits in unexpected ways. There is also an ease in which the movie plays with its audience - will have you laugh, squirm, hide your eyes, and go back to laughing all in expert fashion. Now admittedly, things do go a tad off the rails in the finale of it all, where we also get a rare bit of predictability thrown in. Regardless though, there is no doubt that Bong Joon-ho has crafted one of the most profound movies of the year! And just like a real-life parasite, once you connect with it, you won’t be able to shake it.
BOX OFFICE TOP 5
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Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin.
$5.1 million