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Parasite (2019)

2019 • 2h 13m • Drama, Comedy • R
On September 23, 2026
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All reviews

Sheldon Nylander on Parasite

10/10 · Oct 19, 2019

The Kim family, struggling financially and facing hardship, attempts to navigate daily life. When a friend of the son, Ki-Woo, who was previously employed as an English tutor for the Park family's daughter, has to leave his position, he suggests Ki-Woo as a replacement. This creates an opportunity for the Kims to infiltrate the wealthy household, systematically replacing the existing staff and securing jobs for themselves, which finally brings some financial stability to their own home. However, things aren’t straightforward either at the Park residence or concerning the previous employees. The film begins with comedic elements before transitioning into a social commentary that highlights the disparities between the working-class Kim family and the affluent Park family. These differences are typical of discussions about privilege versus survival; one group deals with minor inconveniences, while the other is simply trying to stay afloat. The filmmakers don’t shy away from this contrast or attempt subtlety, yet they avoid an overly forceful approach that many films employ. Presenting these themes through comedy proves effective, as it allows the audience to relax and become more receptive to the underlying ideas. While I would describe it primarily as a comedy, the third act takes a considerably darker turn, and the divide—along with a sense of disdain and even apathy—between the social classes becomes much more pronounced. The film explores difficult themes, revealing unexpected facets of characters who had previously seemed quirky or even likable. However, this shift doesn’t feel jarring; it's as if these underlying traits were always present, and we simply chose to overlook them. This demonstrates exceptional character development. Another noteworthy aspect is the film's use of allegory and metaphor. It’s a clever movie, but the filmmakers avoid condescension, trusting the audience to grasp the symbolism without needing explicit explanations. This is a welcome change from the heavy-handedness often seen in filmmaking. They also acknowledge that not every viewer will understand or immediately recognize all the symbols, but they have constructed the film so skillfully and precisely that such understanding isn’t necessary for enjoyment; it simply enhances the experience. This film has received well-deserved recognition. It is intelligent, polished to a high standard, and demonstrates the filmmakers' mastery of their craft—qualities we don’t often see these days. It ranks among the best films I saw in 2019. A strong recommendation!

Source on TMDB