As more exciting casting news about director Bong Joon-ho’s upcoming film Mickey7 circulates online, it’s the perfect time to look back at the international hit that turned him into a household name, Parasite. The film is centered on a family that infiltrates a wealthy home by posing as skilled workers.
The award-winning comedy-thriller movie continues to receive praise from fans on Letterboxd, a social media platform for film buffs, underscoring its lasting impact on audiences. These gut-busting reviews highlight the movie’s best moments, aspects, and even architecture, with some just being witty jokes about how flawless Parasite is.
What More Could They Want
Parasite took the world by storm when it was first released in 2019, quickly becoming one of the best non-English language movies ever made. It has won numerous accolades since then, including the Palme d'Or, four Academy Awards, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA Award, and more.
Its several awards are a testament to just how great the film is. The "people who rate" Parasite "4.5" on Letterboxd seem to irritate, clemmie, who raises "a question" for them, hilariously asking "literally what more do" they "want." The movie's near-perfect rating on the site is well-deserved and should arguably even be a bit higher than it already is.
Crazy Rich Asians Walked
It's not easy to look for a movie like Parasite, as the film's totally original premise and completely unpredictable twist make it among the most unique works in recent cinematic history. It outshines several other non-English language movies, but that hasn't stopped some from comparing them.
One funny comparison is made by hunter strawberry, who writes that "Crazy Rich Asians walked, so that they could get stabbed in Parasite." It's a reference to the intense sequence towards the end of the film that shows Geun-sae going on a stabbing spree, injuring the Kim family and several of Mr. Park's rich guests.
The Real Parasite
A big part of what makes the members of the Kim family so likable is that they seem to genuinely love and care for each other, and they're not afraid to show it. They're used to being close to each other, given the confined space they live in, so it's natural that they'd want to have the same people around wherever they go.
They develop an even stronger bond in Parasite after they all scheme to work for the Park family. The review by the Letterboxd user issy captures this sense of intimacy, stating that "maybe the real parasite" "was the friends" "made along the way."
Minimalist Architecture
Parasite uses locations and architecture to further contrast the lives and experiences of the Kim and Park family. The Kim family's basement home is tiny and cluttered, which is the opposite of the Parks' spacious and expensive residence that only the most privileged people can afford.
The user Jay praises the "minimalist architecture porn" showcased through the Park family's house, writing an amusing review about how the "unplastered grey stone walls mahogany floor and impractical enormous glass panels" can just "f**k" their "s**t up." Even Ki-woo dreams of one day owning that home and rescuing his dad, painting an idyllic portrait of a future where he walks out into the front yard to meet him and his mother.
The Right Condiments
Geun-sae's violent outburst towards the end of the film results in a moment straight out of a horror movie, as blood is spilled left and right in slow motion. He injures members of the Kim family but also wounds Mr. Park's guests, with the wealthy man's only concern being the car keys from Ki-taek, who's helping his bleeding daughter.
At this point, the movie's commentary on class structure is painfully clear. This message is reflected in a humorous review by Lucy, who asks "anyways, when" it's time to start "eating the rich, which condiment" will other fans choose, clarifying that she's "a ketchup girl" herself.
Smells So Good
The last straw that prompts Ki-taek to stab Mr. Park happens after the brutal rampage by Geun-sae when the wealthy character makes a disgusted face after smelling the murderer. This is a callback to earlier scenes revolving around "Mr. Kim's smell," which Mr. Park describes as being "like an old radish" or a boiled rag, even telling his wife that "people who ride the subway have a special smell."
The user Roberto_ references this in their review, saying that "despite what Mr. Park might think, this movie smells so f**king good." The smell is just one of the several tools the film uses to differentiate between the Park and Kim families, with the wealthier characters using the sense to judge the workers.
As Expected
It's not an overstatement to say that Parasite is already considered a classic, thanks to its masterful depiction of inequality through the Kim and Park families' stories. There's nothing quite like the now-legendary movie, especially for audiences seeing it for the first time and not knowing the shocking twist that awaits.
The Letterboxd user Taylor Williams is just one of many fans who adore the film, which is seen in his gut-busting and almost angry review stating "what the f**k did" readers "think" they "would give this" movie. It deserves nothing less than five starts on the platform.
Not To Sound Dramatic
A powerful sequence in the film takes place after the Kim family narrowly avoids being discovered by the Parks. As the rain pours, they literally and metaphorically go back down to their home, which has been flooded due to the windows being left open.
This scene moved oppie, who prefaces his review with a funny expression, writing "not to sound dramatic but that flood scene changed" them. It's one of the most poignant moments in the film, as it's almost too painful to watch the family scramble to retrieve their things from their tiny basement apartment. Even Ki-jung gives up and just lights a cigarette as she's sitting on top of the toilet to prevent it from spewing more waste.
It’s A Sign
Parasite has a unique effect on viewers in the way that it raises uncomfortable truths about privilege and comfort. This rings true for those who understand or have themselves experienced the struggles that come with the lack of financial stability.
This is likely why it offends justmiaslife when their "dad said the movie was 'okay,' which they consider being "a sign to put" themself "up for adoption." Those who can't sympathize with the main characters' stories could be more disconnected from the harsh reality that several people go through than they think.
Roses Are Red
Director Joon-ho's masterpiece will go down in history as an unforgettable portrayal of class conflict, with its stunning twist, well-written characters, and heartbreaking ending staying with audiences long after they've seen the film. It's proof of the power of cinema to reflect human experiences and incite change.
A fitting and witty poem by Frandi Peralta sums up all the reasons those who haven't seen the film should definitely watch it, as they write: "roses are red, violets are blue, if you don't like this movie, I'll kill you." While fans certainly shouldn't start stabbing people at parties as Geun-sae does, they could at least remember the Kim family and the several others like them who are struggling all over the world.