Entertainment
Explore Bong Joon-ho's Parasite, the Oscar-winning thriller exposing class conflict with dark humor. Uncover why this masterpiece captivated the world.
"Parasite" is a 2019 South Korean dark comedy thriller directed by Bong Joon-ho. The film follows the members of the destitute Kim family as they scheme to become employed by the wealthy Park family, infiltrating their household by posing as unrelated, highly qualified individuals. What begins as a clever con spirals into a violent and unpredictable struggle for survival, masterfully blending suspense, satire, and tragedy to critique the dynamics of social class.
"Parasite" shattered records and became a global phenomenon for its historic awards season run. It won the prestigious Palme d'Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and made history at the 92nd Academy Awards by winning four major awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature Film. It was the first non-English language film ever to win Best Picture, a landmark achievement that brought unprecedented international attention to South Korean cinema and its director, Bong Joon-ho.
The film's universal themes of class inequality and economic desperation resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. It sparked widespread conversations about the invisible lines that divide the rich and poor, using the metaphor of the "parasite" to question who truly feeds off whom. Its sharp social commentary, combined with breathtaking cinematography and shocking plot twists, left a lasting cultural impact, encouraging many viewers to explore more international films and challenging a Hollywood-centric view of cinema.