Parasite (2019)

One of the best movies ever

Parasite lives in the extremes of cinematography, its palettes are not colourful with multicolour but rather paint the most real of pictures of what South Korean societies are like. It is an ode to Director Bong's incredible work that Parasite feels so real and raw.

Parasite questions social inequality in the most of crude of forms, through micro-aggressions, violence, abuse, discrimination and isolation. Every moment of the movie feels like a punch to the gut and it answers and questions notions that is not only limited to South Korea but even beyond the realms. Parasite's imagery, its acting, its message, its want to tell a story will live on like a legend. Decades later the story will live on to still question and rebel.

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Good movie, underwhelming ending.

Let me start by saying that I'm not a movie watcher, i prefer series. The fact that this movie got SO hyped up and it got La palme d'or of Cannes Festival??? I just had to watch it. I just had to see it from my eyes. So I watched this with high expectations. I might repeat myself at times, sorry in advance.

This movie was really good on the overall and the story started off great but it fell into an underwhelming conclusion to me. At first you can briefly see the struggle of a poor family but that is still somehow happy. Then a opportunity kicks in. Recommandations over recommandations and at this time it started to get unrealistic for me. "The Care" ? Seriously ? The rich husband looked suspicious about the card but didn't even bother enough to look up the agency on Google?? (or Naver... whatever). From the moment he got introduced on the screen I thought he was the one that'll discover everything. I thought he would be the one smarter than everybody. The rich family trusted EVERY move the poor family made without second-guessing, like... IT WAS SO EASY! There was not one time where they almost got caught or whatever (the night after the camping got cancelled doesn't count because they didn't get noticed AT ALL, didn't make a noise and just came out smoothly). The wife literally believed everything they would say. The whole process of settling the poor family into a job in the house looked so... smooth. The way they succeeded to kick out the housekeeper who has been working in the house for YEARS and had multiple and different superiors living there. Really unrealistic. Like... just over RECOMMANDATIONS ? "It's better to take recommandations from someone you know" the rich wife says. GIRL. YOU DON'T KNOW ANY OF THEM. You could be ganging up a group of professionnal robbers in your house and you wouldn't even know !

The little story of the guy falling in love with the rich family's daughter (sorry i don't remember any of the names, except for Min) was just a filler, that's what it was. The first time they kissed was so random, so out of the blue. Their relationship was so hard to understand, like didn't she like her former and REAL tutor? Anyways.

This is when the former housekeeper came back that the movie started to take a weird and graphic turn. The poor family were so drunk but somehow became sober. First of all we never got to know why and how she had bruises on her face. Why was she acting like that when while she still had her job she was always composed and not "scary sounding". If I was in the poor family's place I would have never opened the door or at least I would've told the former housekeeper to come back tomorrow morning because what in the world ? You have been fired, and when the bosses are not here, you come back at an unexpected hour because you "forgot something"? And on top of that my whole poor family that the bosses don't know about is here, plus the house is looking a hot mess? Sorry but you are not coming in. But of course they let her in, there wouldn't be no "story" then. I think they could've turned the story a whole other way still though. That moment where the former housekeeper was imitating north-korean anchorwomen saying "Our Leader KJU" and stuff really threw me off for some reason lol. I know it was dark humor and i completely LOVE dark humor but that one wasn't for me haha. First of all it was not that funny and on top that they were keeping a family as hostages WHILE making the joke.

Then after that, everything seems to be there for shock value's sake. EVERYTHING. The way they tied the former housekeeper and her husband and threw them in the basement, when they could've told them to leave because they had already deleted the video from the phone ? Her crazy husband ? I mean you haven't seen the light of the day for 4 years it might understandable but still. The sex scene that they made lasted for SO loooonggg. We haven't even seen how embarrassed Min, her brother and her dad were during this because they had to hear it all. All we seen was the rich husband and wife getting into it, when the real thing about it was the family's reaction but we didn't see it. Or it was too short and the sex scene was on screen for too long.

Then after that you got the scene where the poor family's semi basement got flooded with water from the rain. It was almost like director of the movie wanted to force an emotional reaction out of me. Like they were saying "right there, this is the scene where you're supposed to feel extremely bad. FEEL BAD NOW". Ok, I did feel bad but not like it was the end of the world you know? When in fact yes, I was supposed to feel bad like it was the end for them, because they lost most of their belongings and getting everything back will be hard even though they're getting paid. But the way they pushed that onto me resulted to me just being like "aw, i feel bad but they'll be alright. ok, next scene" like it was just a phase for me when for the family it was traumatic and so hard to process. And i was supposed to feel the trauma and the hardship with them, but I didn't, I was just looking from the "other side". It frustrated me so much because I relate to this family situation (I'm not that poor but I'm LIGHT YEARS away from being rich) regarding the way they almost lost everything, but the feeling it gave was like I was a stranger to what they were going through when in reality I'm not. And it's so sad that, i felt distanced from the family and didn't really "root" for them? More like "If they succeed I'm happy, if they don't that's just their fault".

Then the way the movie ended ? I was really underwhelmed. You're gonna tell me that it's not weird ? That all of a sudden there's blood, screams, panic everywhere ? Which for me, there was no panic or fear at all, i was just there with a big "WTF" in my mind. Because WTF ? Sudden stabbing, sudden horror and blood everywhere, it felt so rushed and poorly done. I just felt like the director didn't know how to end the movie and he didn't want it to be boring, so he just said "Ok guys! You know what ? Let's kill or at least try to kill everybody!" "Boss, this is not a horror movie" "I don't care, we must shock the audience, they won't see this one coming haha". Well, i surely did not see that coming and I wish the ending never came out like that. And also the dad stabbing the rich husband because he couldn't stand how he would always make a stanky face when he was smelling an unpleasant odor?? That was so random but also so hilarious at the same time. I understood the dad but at the same time i didn't? The only reaction he had after those remarks was to literally STAB him? Not yell at him, not punch him, not beat him to death? But STAB HIM??? So he was like "So we smell bad? Ok let me stab you." WHAT IN THE ACTUAL WORLD ??? Then he went hiding in the basement and when the situation died down during days after, he started sending Morse code messages not knowing if anyone would see it but somehow his son did. And son succeeded in translating a whole long letter in Morse code, wow, impressive. Anyways.

As for the characters, I didn't get attached to anyone. Because they ALL seemed so cartoonish. I couldn't take any of them seriously. I don't know if this is how the director intended the movie to be like, but this is why I don't remember any of their names. Except for Min (the poor family's sister), she was the only character that seemed real ! The director/writer could've added more depth into the characters especially the rich family. Like I said it was like they were only showing the poor family struggles and pushed the "feel bad, feel sorry, feel sad" agenda on us. And they didn't show the underground of the rich family and just was like "this rich family is living so well, we don't care about them.". They just looked like pure jokes being naïve and easy-to-use.
The rich husband's voice sounded like Buzz Lightyear for some reason, i don't know if it was the actor's real voice but it was very cartoonish. Him getting irritated everytime getting asked "but you love your wife, right?" it was funny lol. The "over" parts with his son were funny too. The former housekeeper, cartoonish. Her husband, cartoonish. The poor family (except for Min) felt bland and felt like they were just doing things for the sake of doing. When you make plan that is supposed to succeed, everybody in their right mind knows that you need to make a "plan B" in case anything goes south. They knew how to handle everything but somehow, one thing went wrong and they all lost their "right mind". This is one of the moments that made this movie unrealistic. And then the dad started saying "in life it's better not to have a plan", yes so easy to say that now that your plan backfired... my oh my.

The way this movie showed us the differences of poor and rich lives was very distinct. But I'm not sure why it got so many awards because it didn't make us emotionally involved. It didn't really show us the harsh and violent reality of being poor or the cruel and calculating world of rich people. It was almost like they polished the fact of being poor and polished being rich. It didn't show us how ok, they are two different worlds but both of them are hard in their own ways (of course having no money is harder, but you get what I mean). Instead it was a constant slander to rich families, constant mocking on them, constant minimizing their story as much as possible to make the poor family the only focus. But they failed all the way through because the poor family didn't make me feel anything enough to disregard the rich family like the director wanted me to. They made their poor life look so easy to handle? We never seen the dad, brother or Min break down once, they just looked sad. Especially when they seen their house flooded, Min sat down on her overflowing toilets and started smocking?? And i know it was to make us understand that this is something they're kind of used to but damn... A real, authentic reaction matching the situation, that is all I ask for. Also the way they handled the former housekeeper and her husband looked like they have been doing this for years, they didn't panic to the point of not knowing what to do or leaving anything behind, this poor family was full of professionnal scammers, they didn't get caught. Not even almost. Anyways.

On the overall, the actors did well, the scene were well shot. There were plenty of unnecessary and filler scenes in my opinion but it's okay i guess...? I didn't really pay attention to the music so it might mean that it fitted every scene really well. The story was SO genius at first but it ended so catastrophically. So graphic for no reason and so confusing. It would be a 7.5 for me.

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There is a big hype about this movie, and for a good reason. Unlike those popular films that those days create a buzz because of the action plot and the big names, Parasite is more about the social message that it wants to pass through than a likable story that will appear to the masses.

So, overall, Parasite is good. If you like movies about real people, that are not afraid to show the raw reality and social injustice, than watch this one. It is a roller coaster of emotions, with lighter, more comical moments and more thrilling, suspenceful moments. And the film combines them masterfully and everything works well together. The performances were top notch as well. The story, finally, was well paced and interesting.

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this id one of the unique plot

This film takes you on a unique journey with a touch of psychology embedded in its plot. The story stands out for its originality, offering an engaging narrative that captivates from beginning to end. The inclusion of psychological elements adds an intriguing layer, making it more than just your typical movie experience. It's a refreshing departure from the usual, and this distinctive approach contributes to the overall enjoyment of the film.

The cast's performances are a major highlight, with each actor bringing their characters to life with remarkable skill and authenticity. The portrayals are so well executed that it's easy to connect with and invest in the characters. This not only speaks to the talent of the actors but also enhances the emotional impact of the story. The characters feel real, and the actors' ability to convey the depth and subtlety of their roles adds a significant layer to the film's success.

The film's cinematography is skillfully executed, capturing the essence of the plot in a visually compelling manner. From the choice of camera angles to the use of lighting, every detail is carefully considered. The cinematography not only complements the narrative but also enhances the emotional beats, creating a visually stunning and immersive experience for the audience.

What truly sets this film apart is the seamless synergy between its plot, performances, and cinematography. The unique plot finds resonance in the actors' compelling portrayals, and the cinematography skillfully amplifies the narrative's emotional beats. It's a harmonious blend that elevates the overall quality of the film, creating an impactful and memorable viewing experience.

As you explore the details of the story, you'll find that it's not just about entertainment, it prompts thought and reflection. The psychological elements add depth and complexity, inviting the audience to engage with the narrative on a deeper level. It's a movie that leaves you pondering its themes long after the credits roll.

In conclusion, this cinematic masterpiece is a testament to the power of storytelling when coupled with exceptional performances and skilled cinematography. It's more than just a movie, it's an immersive experience that offers entertainment, emotional resonance, and intellectual engagement. With its unique plot, outstanding performances, and captivating visuals, this film successfully transcends the boundaries of conventional cinema.

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well this was kinda crazy

So, I heard about this movie and it was very hyped when it got out and because it got into the Oscar and everything. I heard about it, but I wasn’t actually watching Kdramas yet when it came out. Saw this on Netflix and decided to watch because of the past hype.

not going to lie, the beginning was kinda boring. But I think it’s pretty well written. It was interesting how they all got into the house. It actually got good when they were in the house and the family came back. I was actually stressing so bad, that’s when the story got more interesting and exciting to watch. I was shocked when the basement guy got out, hit the son and started stabbing people. It was even more crazy when he the dad stabbed the rich father. WTF though. Because of the thing about smelling bad ? like I’m sure he did smell bad, just look at him and his house. Also, he made the face and he was holding his nose when he got the keys but SERIOUSLY that man was in the basement for years. of course he must smell like shit if he hadn’t washed himself in months/years. That seemed to had triggered the dad… I was kinda sad, poor family (I’m talking about the rich family). They seemed like good people, I think they were a cute family that obviously loved each other. I loved the parents with the younger child. That scene of them on the sofa caught me off guard.

I wasn’t sad that the girl (the daughter died), I actually think the rich guy death is more sad if I think about it. The main poor family did bad things so, they kinda got what was coming for them

And the ending, bro is in the basement, crazy. It an open ending, which I usually hate… but I think this ending is interesting.

So overall, I think this was not a bad movie, some interesting twists and got excited in the second half. I think the script was well written. But, my rating got a bit down because it was boring at first and I actually feel bad for that family who got ruined because of them.

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My friends and I finally got around to watching this movie last night and it was absolutely insane! It kept us hooked the entire time and we were always wondering what was going to happen next. Unfortunately, I had to mute the movie and turn away during the living room scene (if you've seen the movie, you know which scene I'm talking about) because I was embarrassed to watch that scene with my friends in the discord call, but the movie was still very enjoyable. We really loved the acting most of all.

I'm personally going to have to check out the actors' other works because I was blown away the entire time. Honestly, I'm surprised I'm giving so much praise because I'm not usually one to watch anything within the horror and thriller genres, but I really loved this movie.

This movie very much deserves the amount of rewards it received. I would definitely watch it again if someone asked.

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Honestly watching this movie, you can just tell why it received the oscars. Its truly a work of art but at some points it is a bit confusing and it leaves you to interpret a lot of things in your own point of view. Especially the ending which was left bittersweet and yet open for you to give it your own ending. Was his daydreaming something that actually happens in the future or just something he wishes for? I also really wanted to know what happened to the rich family in the end, I was always curious about that and if kiwoo actually liked the daughter or not. It just leaves you wondering and creating your own theories about what the plot and the message is about.

The actors did so well, really amazing performance and it really did deserve those oscars.

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Raw and real it’s terrifying!

There might be some spoilers, but mostly, just saying what’s on my heart at the moment.

Every time I finish a movie, there’s a certain feeling of satisfaction or disappointment. Some I finish in tears, but even then, I felt it's just right to end that way. Others, I end up getting disappointed to the point of cursing - demanding for my 2 hrs of wasted time to be given back. But mostly, I end up watching movies I felt very contented with.

Parasite though, it gave me a heavy heart... sitting and watching there for over two hours - how the lives of a family got ruined more than it already was. I don’t blame people for associating the movie with ‘Hell Joseon’ because it certainly was a depiction of it. And let’s face it, it’s not only happening in Korea, but the rest of the world. How the rich get to keep their riches, and the poor keep getting pushed to the edge (if you know what I mean).

Kiwoo’s letter at the end, knowing it was all just wishful thinking and would never come true (based on the theme of the story and well, let’s just say LIFE), only added to my already depressed mood following the tragedy that was called ‘the birthday party’.

Let’s not even get started in talking about justice for Mr. Park and how unfairly he was stabbed in the back (don’t take it literally because you know, he was stabbed in front) but anyway, that’s not my point. My point is, the Park family was nothing but nice. They’re rich, but they treated their workers with humanity. And just because a poor man couldn’t take an insult, he lost his mind and killed a person for it. Is that how cheap life is now? A life for pride? And he was even absolved from persecution because, well, HE FREAKIN' FLED! Can you believe what kind of person he is? I just kept repeating a sentence after this scene - 어이가 없네 (eoiga eobsne)!!!!

It was like a domino of misfortune. The head of the family who was supposed to be the pillar and supposed to protect his family failed at his duty miserably. Not only one, but four innocent lives were sacrificed for nothing. And in the end, nothing has changed.

So, am I recommending this movie? Definitely a yes. It is an eye-opener if you are in your corner refusing to admit the cruelty of life called REALITY. But for those who insist on only seeing fluffy things, skip it.

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I actually had to watch this for ib lit (my fav course ever ??) and had only one night to complete it, so I watched it on 3x speed (definitely ruined the cinematic experience for myself).
From the casual movie viewer facet of me, this was honestly a pretty boring watch.
However, from the super critical, analytical deep thinker facet of me, I loved it. To be fair, I love analyzing even the smallest details in literature, so if you’re a fan of literary classics, I’m sure you would absolutely love this drama.

(I’d actually watched this movie a few years ago back when it was super hyped up, but dropped it after the 15 minute mark because I hate movies with manipulative protagonists no matter how warranted or justified their behavior may be. But I mean the title is literally PARASITE for god’s sake, so what was I expecting?)

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