One of the worst things about being a film fan in the UK is that we typically get theatrical releases some time after our American cousins. Thanks to my American blogger friends Parasite was on my must watch list long before it started making its landmark waves on the awards circuit.

When it was finally released here in the UK, I knew I had to check it out, see if it was really worthy of all the hype and its historic four Oscar wins, including the highly coveted Best Picture win.

First off the film introduces us to the Kim family, patriarch Ki-taek (Song Kong-ho), his derisive wife Chung-sook (Jong Hye-jin) and their two children, their crafty son Ki-woo (Choi Woo-shik) and artistic daughter Ki-jung (Park So-dam). Poor and unemployed, the family reside in a cramped and shabby basement apartment in downtown Seoul, bemoaning their unlucky lot in life but not willing to put in any effort to enrich their lives. They perpetrate minor scams to get by, half ass even the most menial of jobs and sponge off the local coffee shop Wi-Fi.

One evening, a friend of Ki-woo visits the family bringing a gift and an opportunity, he wants Ki-woo to take his place as the English tutor for the teenage daughter of the wealthy, yet extremely gullible Park family. Despite having no real qualifications, just documents cleverly forged by his sister, Ki-woo secures the job and quickly learns that Mrs Park is looking for an art therapist for her boisterous and somewhat hyperactive son. Sensing an opportunity, Ki-woo recommends his friend ‘Jessica’ for the role, and before long, by hook or by crook, the whole of the Kim family were under the employ of the Parks.

However actions have consequences and when the old housekeeper returns, revealing surprising secrets of her own, their carefully crafted scam comes under threat of exposure and things take a more sinister turn.

Despite not receiving any Oscar recognition in the acting categories, I do believe that one of the key elements to the films success is the brilliant acting from the entire cast. Parasite shows us the meaning of a true ensemble cast, each actors performance elevates that of their co-stars and I don’t think it’s possible, or fair, to single out any one particular performance.

The idea of class is a fundamental theme and director Bong Joon Ho manages to perfectly balance his reflection of poverty and wealth without leaning too heavily to one side or the other. Each end of the spectrum brings out ugly, judgemental aspects of human nature and Bong Joon Ho shines a light on it all. He weaves an intricate web, lulling his audience into a false sense of comfortable security before completely pulling the rug out from under our feet in the third act.

Brilliantly edited and perfectly paced with a relatively simple yet powerful musical score, Parasite has it all; a pure thriller packed with drama, intrigue and a healthy dose of dark humour.

Bong Joon Ho famously said, “once you overcome the one inch barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films” and that is something I have definitely found myself guilty of in the past, but this film has opened my eyes and I would wholeheartedly encourage you all to give this film a go. Like me, you might be pleasantly surprised.

As an Amazon Associates member, I may get a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. At no additional cost to you. Win, win!