Movie Review: Parasite - A Tale of The Two Classes

Ever since I watched Parasite, it’s been numerous times that I sit to do some task and scenes from the movie flash past. Some movies are made to stay with us and this one is definitely there.

Living in a city like Mumbai, where upscale high-rises often stand in vicinity to a sprawling network of shanties it is easy to relate to the massive economic divide that has been portrayed in the Korean blockbuster. 

Getting up from my seat in the theatre, I let a soft sigh, the title made so much sense and I don’t know if there could have been anything better for it. It’s a satire, a twisted tale on socio-economic disparities. What starts as a family of four revealing their con-artist traits in duping their ‘common’ masters continues as a movie that shows the stark contrast between the lives of two classes. Money divides; positions too but the nuances such as body odour contrasts are also brought out so naturally. If there’s a smell that comes with being wealthy then sure enough a stink accompanies those on the other side of the spectrum.   

You start out watching the movie which has darkness at its centre as you enjoy the hilarity surrounding it. However, slowly it moves into a darker space till the humour is washed away leaving you with bitter realities and brutal truths. 

The film follows a lower-class South Korean family; the Kims who stay in a grungy basement as they slowly fit themselves in the lives of an uber-class family, the Parks who are comfortable in their lavish household. The Kims are so broke that they piggyback on their neighbous wi-fi as they haven’t been able to pay their bills. The Parks have their residence atop a hill reflecting the upper society standards with luscious gardens and behind many walls. The story begins when Ki-woo (son in the Kim family) begins tutoring the impressionable Da-hye (Park’s daughter).

There are subtle and meaningful truths that the director has so rightly interwoven in the narration. 

The human behavioural trait of greed is a fundamental one that often passes off as the base that helps us better our lives. The dissatisfaction over anything materialistic that we currently have translates into getting upgraded to an edition that’s much better than its predecessor and the vicious cycle continues. Just like how every year as the handset providers come with a new version we need to become owners of the latest one irrespective of whether we actually need it. 

The truth is that greed is good for the economy. We are continually reshaped by the consumerism culture into becoming the dissatisfied, restless, all desiring souls while greed enjoys its position as the elevator to economic prosperity and overall happiness. After all, it seems to be the consistent human motivation. But, all this to what end and eventuality? What drives the seeming limitless, unquenchable nature of greed? Is greed then a natural impulse or an indicator to a confused life, one with unclear goals?

I hadn’t watched the trailer or read anything about the movie before I went to watch and the finely directed, perfectly paced, brilliantly shot and amazingly acted piece kept me gripped to it from the beginning much like how the ‘parasites’ hold on to their hosts. It has moments of comedy, thriller, mystery, romance, drama, crime and yet all of it pans out so beautifully and none of it seems unnatural or forced. 

Once you get to view the film, be sure to expect an unforgettable ride.