The 25 Best Movies of the Century: No. 8 - ‘Parasite’

Key Takeaways

Bong Joon-ho's 'Parasite' became an instant global classic, topping 2019 polls.
The film meticulously uses visual and sensory details to portray class disparity.
'Parasite's' ending is lauded as tragic, critiquing societal systems.
Its groundbreaking Best Picture win shifted the Academy Awards toward global cinema.

'Parasite,' released in 2019, quickly achieved number one status in competitive critic and reader polls.
Despite its distinctly South Korean cultural context, the film's 'Hitchcockian' thriller structure contributed to its universal appeal.
Its clear visual language, including literal verticality to represent social strata, made the narrative straightforward.

Director Bong Joon-ho's meticulous construction likens characters to figures in a 'dollhouse,' moved by his formal choices.
The film emphasizes how systems affect individuals, presenting a nuanced view beyond simple 'good' versus 'bad' characters.
Formal choices, like depicting the wealthy Park family as individuals versus the collective Kim family, underscore themes of freedom and societal structures.

The film explores the theme of 'grifting,' relevant around 2015-2019, linking it to characters' precarious efforts to 'come up' in society.
The title 'Parasite' is questioned, expanding beyond a literal interpretation to a systemic critique where everyone is either parasitic or being fed upon.
The discussion examines South Korea's patriarchal structure, parental expectations, and the Kim family father as an 'ultimate parasite' due to his inability to provide stability.

The film uses sensory details like smell to communicate class division, contrasting the 'stench' associated with the lower-class Kim family.
Living conditions, architectural spaces, and the Kims' acceptance of fumigation underscore the physical realities of poverty.
Tactile imagery, such as peaches and hot sauce, further emphasizes the economic gap, contrasting the Kims' processed diets with the Parks' fresh fruit.

The film's ending is described as one of the 21st century's greatest, shifting from absurdity to tragedy.
It presents a heartbreaking epilogue, amplified by its score, underscoring characters' unrealistic aspirations for wealth.
The ending offers a critique of societal systems, suggesting that a lack of solidarity among marginalized characters contributed to their downfall.

Bong Joon-ho's 'Mickey 17' maintained his consistent antic, comic, and absurdist tone, despite mixed reactions.
His earlier works, 'The Host' and 'Okja,' blend serious themes with comedic and fantastical elements.
'Memories of Murder' gained him international recognition, influencing the serial killer genre and exploring life's unknowability.

'Parasite's' Best Picture win in 2020 marked a significant shift for the Academy Awards toward global cinema.
The film won four Oscars: Picture, Director, Screenplay, and International Feature Film, from six nominations.
It overcame competition from films like 'BlacKkKlansman,' 'Green Book,' and 'Roma,' challenging previous perceptions of winning films.

'Parasite' achieved significant box office success, grossing over $200 million worldwide.
This commercial achievement provided Bong Joon-ho with the ability to secure a substantial budget for his subsequent film, 'Mickey 17.'
The film's critical and commercial success solidified Bong's status, allowing him to pursue any project, including future animated works.