Ki-jung begins working for the parks under the guise of an art-therapy teacher. Perhaps he had just gone crazy, but choosing to go after more of the Kim family guaranteed that he would either be killed himself or that he'd land behind bars. Review: Class warfare is on full display in director Bong Joon-hos provocative Parasite. No. What is Mumblecore? Refresh the page, check Medium 's site status, or find something interesting to read. Min-hyuk believes that Ki-woo poses no threat to his chances of eventually connecting with his student, Da-hye, and he knows that Ki-woo needs the money, so it is a kind gesture. Mr Kim, tasked with managing Moon-kwang and her husband, struggles to subdue them both in the basement bunker. Parallels are drawn between the two families to show that poverty and social status can sometimes really just be a matter of circumstance. The only truly faultless character in the film is the young Park Da-song. Maybe its the crazy eyes, the receding hairline, the fact that he manually presses buttons on the bunker wall to turn on individual lights on the entrance staircase into the house (to show his gratitude towards Mr Park for providing for him, but giving the Parks the impression that the lights at the staircase were always sensor lights), or just plainly the fact that hes a fucking mole person hiding out in someones house. It is a rather short-sighted one on his part because not only does Ki-woo end up pursuing Da-hye, but he ruins any possible opportunity to tutor for the Park family again. He is obsessed with keeping his employees controlled and hates nothing more than when one of his charges "crosses the line." Were here to help. As mentioned, the film contains a huge, exciting twist that drives the plot ahead at full speed, so do yourself a favour and DONT spoil it for yourself! I could sense my fellow audience members discomfort after the movie ended, and I even made eye contact with my neighbour as both our mouths were agape. Lets shift gears from a Parasite summary to a Parasite movie analysis. There is more to Da-song than meets the eye. He has the hardest part to play in getting rid of Moon-gwang. Even though the film audience is treated to a scene of this happening, it is never confirmed whether it does as we ambiguously end the film back in the Kims tiny basement apartment and Ki-woo writing the letter. This is especially impressive given how ethnocentric the Academy Awards often unfold, prioritizing English-language films over foreign-language films much of the time. Chung-sook takes over as the housekeeper. Interests scouting. Whats their function? Especially one with so many twists and turns that the best writing about it will be long after spoiler warnings arent needed? Hes skewered classicism in all of his films to some degree. Suddenly, the Kims fall down the stairs of the bunker in a pile, after listening in on the conversation. Now that he is both her tutor and her boyfriend, he dreams of an affluent future as her husband. Mr Kim, already an accepting and adaptable character, was unknowingly triggered by Mr Parks reaction to Moon-kwangs husband as his pent-up resentment comes crashing through. The second half of Parasite is one of the most daring things Ive seen in years narratively. Before long, mom and dad are in the Park house too, and it seems like everything is going perfectly for the Kim family. She does an excellent job getting the house back in order before the Park family returns and discovers Moon-gwang and her husband, but she's unable to stop what's coming by then. Blood is shed and deaths are cast at the birthday party of the Park familys youngest child. For Part 3, to read the Character discussion, go here. When the Kims move into the Parks' house, Ki-woo notes that Ki-jung seems to fit in well with the trappings of wealth, and can carry off a luxurious lifestyle naturally. The use of smell in the film is a great analogy for how the Kims literally stink of poverty to the Parks. He works as a list writer for Valnet, Inc. covering Screen Rant. Find out how you match to her and 5500+ other characters. Just as he called Snowpiercer his film about class revolution set in a dystopia his "hallway movie," he has called Parasite his "stairway movie." It is an upstairs-downstairs film that. "Parasite" is a film that follows 10 main characters up close (8 of whom are shown below - the other two are not shown for obvious reasons which will become apparent after you have witnessed the movie) with 10 different "characteristics" that need to be captured in the frame - the looks, the personality, the deep pathos that oozes from each character's situation and by giving us . So how do critics convey when a film truly is unexpectedly, brilliantly unpredictable in ways that feel revelatory? The Kim family moves in for the weekend and luxuriates. For Part 2, to read the Plot discussion, go here. More books than SparkNotes. However, she has no ill intentions, and can even be credited for saving Ki-woo after he was attacked by Moon-kwangs husband. But, before we dig deeper into the social commentary, lets take a look at how the film managed to break through to an unmatched audience size. Moon-kwang eventually succumbs to a concussion, leading to her husband desperately smashing his head into the light switches in the bunker to signal Help me in Morse code. When he is given the opportunity to work as Mr. Park's driver, he figures out how to be the best driver he can be, and to provide some light companionship to Mr. Park. When the architect sold the mansion to the Park family, Moon-Gwang survived a change of ownership. If he is ever caught, he may suffer the death penalty for committing a murder. He stands in the woods near the Parks' house, which has been bought by Germans, and observes that the censor light is turning on and off in a patternMorse Code. The next day, the Kim family is invited back to the Parks as they decide to throw a birthday party for Da-song. The characters are a reason for the success and we've ranked how smart they are. She is easily deceived by Ki-jeong's framing of the Park family chauffeur as explained by Dong-ik. Parasite is Bong Joon Ho's newest flick, and it's dark, twisted, and totally fascinating. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. Its here where we can finally analyse who is the parasite in the film, and who are the antagonists? I would LOVE to hear from other viewers on their theories on the film, so please feel free to share them with me. She likes to play games with Ki-taek, calling him a cockroach and belittling him, as part of their marital dynamic. This vertical comment on status is illustrated cleanly in this alternate poster for the film, without spoiling the sub-basement reveal. After struggling to make ends meet folding pizza boxes for a local pizza restaurant, the Kims are visited by one of Ki-woo's wealthier friends, Min-hyuk, who offers to refer him to a job tutoring for a wealthy family, the Parks. Director Bong Joon-Ho himself has described Parasite as a cross-genre film, dipping its toes into the regions of dark comedy, satire, thriller and family drama. Mrs. Park is a beautiful, wealthy, and ditzy head-of-household who prides herself on not being able to do domestic chores. Well be taking a look at all of the ingredients to made Parasite one of the best films of 2019 and one of the best South Korean films ever made, but first, lets get started with a Parasite synopsis. Its evident that the Kim family lives in squalor. Mr Kim is visibly affected, even sniffing his own shirt. Realizing that they are all related, Moon-gwang takes an incriminating video of them and threatens to send it to the Parks. Theres something off about Moon-kwangs unnamed husband. Leaving behind an earring or a strand of hair is common, but an entire article of clothing seems unlikely. Very soon, the Kims also manage to displace the longstanding housekeeper to make room for Mrs Kim to join the operation. Read the script for the award-winning foreign film and analyze all week. The social commentary of "Parasite" leads tochaos, but it never feels like a didactic message movie. It is his success in passing as a competent English tutor that allows him to invite Ki-jeong into the home and so on. Even my boyfriend, whos no cinephile, was thoroughly impressed by the film and we spent the next hour or so discussing it. Because I plan on going to this school next year." He soon discovers, however, that Mr. Park does not like his smell, and feels deflated by this insult. Cho Yeo-jeong The record-setting trend continued for the Parasite film. Buy TVs. Electronics prices are defying inflation. *MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!!! The rest of the family hides as Chung-sook lets her in and Moon-gwang reveals a bunker in the basement of the house, a lair that was installed by the architect who built it, and which even the Parks have no knowledge of. When Da-song wants to sleep in a tent outside, Mr. and Mrs. Park sleep on the couch to watch over him. Each character inParasiteis unique, but they definitely differ in levels of intelligence. The contrast in appearance between the Kims semi-basement home and the lavish home of the Park family is impossible to miss. And theres a reason the Kim apartment is halfway undergroundtheyre caught between worlds, stuck in the growing chasm between the haves and the have nots. The film starts with the Kim family, a South Korean family struggling with poverty in a poor neighborhood in an unnamed city. But unlike so many upstairs-downstairs films, theres nuance to Bongs depiction of the lower class, largely because of the addition of the secret bunker. I noticed that the house, the main setting for the plot, is always perceived by the audience in wide shots to show the expanse of space available. She takes great pride in her work as a housekeeper, and loses her job unexpectedly after the Kims make her peach allergy look like active tuberculosis. When Ki-woo goes into the basement, Geun-sae attacks him and bludgeons him in the head with the rock. Staircases are among the many things in Parasite that could be considered metaphorical, as becomes a refrain of the Kims son, Ki-woo (Choi Woo Shik). What ensues is a sneaky ploy on the Kim familys part to slowly insert themselves into the lives (and house) of the Park family as they attempt to build a better life for themselves. They take on odd jobs for cash like folding pizza boxes, and they rely on unprotected wi-fi networks and street-cleaning pesticides to keep their home insect-free. Ki-woo is the son of the Kim family, a smart and ambitious young man who feels held back by poverty. The crimes of the Kim family are evident they are scammers, inserting themselves into the lives of the Parks to take advantage of their wealth. As their house party goes on and the rain pours down relentlessly, the doorbell suddenly rings its the old housekeeper that Mrs Kim had displaced. The script for "Parasite" will get a ton of attention as it's one of those clever twisting and turning tales for which the screenwriter gets the most credit (Bong and Han Jin-won, in this case), but this is very much an exercise in visual language that reaffirms Bong as a master.Working with the incredible cinematographer Kyung-pyo Hong ("Burning," "Snowpiercer") and an A-list . It seems that Ki-jeong had the most passive hand to play in the situation despite setting off the entire disastrous plot, never going as far as Ki-woo as he forms a romantic relationship with the Parks daughter, or harbouring as much resentment against the Parks as Mr and Mrs Kim. You would think that maybe before you hire someone else, you stop to think if maybe your household staff is disappearing faster than usual? In truth, Ki-Jung never received any college art education, but she now claims to be a graduate of the University of Illinois and a specialist in children's art therapy, working at a special pay rate. The most interesting part of this dynamic film is the variety of characters. "Parasite" concludes where it begins, in the semi-basement apartment. He has good intentions, even if he is dishonest about how he achieves success, and just wants to create a better life for his family. Mr Park makes a comment about smelling Mr Kim (who, unbeknownst to him, is literally right under his nose), and complains about the smell that Mr Kim exudes. At the party, Ki-woo decides to head back down into the basement with the fortune rock, likely intending to end Moon-kwang and her husbands lives. "Parasite" displays the world of the impoverished and the hypocrisy of capitalist "laws." The family lives in abject povertyfirst trying to survive through the precarious work of folding pizza boxes and then finding a hustle by pretending to be middle class, educated and helpful. The films score here perfectly uses the technique of moving up musical keys in non-linear, minor and discordant chords to instill fear and anxiety in the viewer as Moon-kwang and Mrs Kim descend down endless flights of concrete stairs, turning left and right at every corner to finally reach the bunker below. As Ki-woo first arrives at the Park house, were treated to an awe-inspiring view of the front lawn an immaculately manicured space with trimmed hedges and trees surrounding the perimeter. The topic of class is one that Bong Joon-ho has a clear fascination with. Ki-woo pens a letter to his father, fantasizing about his plan to go to college, secure a well-paying job and buy the Parks old house so that his father can live freely. The rock is ultimately Ki-woos downfall. as an art student at a middle-class family. The local pizza shop informs the Kims that one in four of the pizza boxes they folded were faulty and could not be used. Mr Kim is even needlessly proud when he discovers his childrens deceptive skills. When you move up the ladder, someone else has to be displaced. Lee Jeong-eun, who plays Moon-Gwang the housekeeper, also provided the vocalization for Okja the super pig in Bong Joon-hos previous film. However, to qualify for the job, Ki-Woo must forge his identity from a man in his mid-20s with no formal education to a student studying business at an elite university. Screenplay by Bong Joon Ho and Jin Won Han, story by Bong Joon Ho. The brilliant set dressing of Parasite combined with the striking architectural-design choices perfectly reinforce the themes of the film, but more on the themes after we finish our Parasite summary. The director even created a hash tag to warn people not to spoil the movie for others. The scene where we discover the bunker easily has the highest tension of all scenes in the movie. Parasite Character Analysis (Avoiding Spoilers) Living in Park family's beautiful mansion in the wealthy neighborhoods of Seoul, South Korea. In a trance-like state as his daughter is bleeding out on the ground, Mr Kim is triggered by Mr Parks balking at the stench and fatally stabs him in the chest before running out the house. Moon-gwang begs Chung-sook not to say anything to the Parks, but Chung-sook threatens to tell them. This simple, comedic entry sets up the level of poverty that the Kim family faces. Dong-Ik has a housekeeper to keep his mansion comfortable and a chauffeur to drive him from the busy workplace to his peaceful home. If you are interested in reading through the rest of the script, you can find it below. son of kim family, smart and ambitious, feels held back by poverty, has good intentions even if he has to be dishonest, wants to create a better life for his family. Parasite essays are academic essays for citation. Improving the family's financial situation is the most important goal for Ki-Woo, and he remains hopeful of his future. With its overwhelming plot and acting, this motion picture retains a long-lasting effect and some kind of shock. Its perfectly ironic how the film has come full circle, with Mr Kim taking the place of Moon-kwangs husband in the bunker. ki-woo's sister, smart and tough, gains the upper hand with mrs. park by expressing expertise and confidence, says she . But that he doesn't press Yeon-gyo for replacing Moon-gwang, who has been with the family for quite some time is really when his fate is sealed. But theres this: In a screenplay, characters exist for a reason. Parasite was the first film since Marty in 1955 to win the top prize of both The Oscars and the Cannes Film Festival. Mr Kim is eventually condemned to live and hide in the bunker, truly fulfilling the parasite-like behaviour of leeching of its host at someone elses expense. Personality cool and cynical. Not just because the film went full circle with Mr Kim hiding out in the bunker, forever condemned to hide and steal from the houses occupants, but also due to the small hints dropped throughout the film: Its also difficult to identify the main antagonist of the film. When folding the pizza boxes during the fumigation, he is the most determined (cockroach-like behaviour, as explained above) but also the most careless with his actions. What ensues from this point on is a chaotic, discordant frenzy, where the tension set from the moment we discover the hidden bunker never eases. In our Parasite movie analysis, we found that although the tone and style change, the themes at play remain consistent from the first half to the second half, and continue to be developed further as the film progresses. He has always been fascinated by pop culture and film. The film centers on two families, one poor and one rich and the interactions between them that end explosively. That he also manages to go into hiding in the Park's basement as did Geun-sae is pretty impressive given all the people that had to be going in and out of the house. A major plot driving interaction arrives in the form of Ki-woos friend, who gifts an ornamental rock to the Kim family that can supposedly deliver wealth, and also offers Ki-woo his job as an English tutor for the Park familys daughter as hes travelling overseas. Each has their own distinct backstory, personality, world view, and voice. 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