Parasite
Recently gilded with four trophies at the 92nd Academy Awards, and making history as the first ever foreign language movie to take home the biggest Oscar prize, is this superb South Korean thriller, teeming with dark comedy.
Here lies the briefest of plot summaries as it's difficult to divulge much of what happens with spoiling any of the enjoyment of what happens. A family of four residing in a semi-basement try to make money by any means necessary and when a friend of the son shares information that a wealthy household are looking for tutors it's their lucky day as they see how the other half lives.
'Parasite' is an expertly and neatly packed film; every turn within the glossy upper-class home packs a punch; whether comedic, subtle or startlingly bloody. It’s not often that a film can be wholly unpredictable and keep you guessing, keep you on tenterhooks throughout but this devilishly playful story by Bong Joon-ho is one of those rarities and you'll be invested for every millisecond.
The script is finely tuned with hints to past secrets or upcoming truths and calamities lining the Park house like the most perfect feng-shui furniture. As a spectator you'll sit in what seems like easy comfort before feeling like the rug has been pulled out from under you. It's one of those beautiful stories that is ripe for repeated watches.
The first stages of this film are extraordinarily set up because they complete the task of piquing your interest; there's a wealth of enjoyment to be had in the humour of an increasingly madcap plan. Come the latter section of 'Parasite' there's the briefest of scares that it's going to be a damp squib of a finish but just a simple, slow pan reveals the real end, and again that well-placed rug is whipped out from under you.
It's a gorgeous film to look at and with sumptuous and sometimes chilling slow-moving camerawork to witness, you're lulled into mixtures of a false sense of security and gripping the edge of your seat. It's not solely a shocking and humourous feature, there's a surprising development of tenderness and humanity to the film as it goes on, as you remember where these characters have come from. So even though the amazingly choreographed hijinks are special to watch, there is a suitable level of heart throughout.
You'll laugh, gasp and eat up every morsel of 'Parasite'.
9/10
