And the Best Picture goes to....

The film “Parasite” presents an intriguing exploration of themes like greed, class, and money, blending elements of drama, thriller, and even dark comedy. The story revolves around a down-on-their-luck family of grifters, the Kims, who cleverly off strong with a series of clever twists and turns, in my opinion, it eventually goes off course.

I didn’t find much issue with either the acting or cinematography, both of which were impressive, particularly the Parks’ modern home, which contrasted sharply with the Kims’ cramped, drab semi-basement apartment.  My primary concern was the story itself, which seemed to lack depth, with certain plot developments feeling unreal.

At first, I thought the Kim family would take on the identities of the Parks, which would have created an even more captivating story—after all, they had asked for personal details like bank information and the title to their house.  However, the film took a turn that left me feeling disappointed. There are moments that felt sloppy, such as when a major plot point involves the Kims getting drunk yet showing little concern for the repercussions of their actions—like sweeping the mess under the couch and spending the night crammed under a coffee table. This felt unbelievable and more comical compared to the overall tension that had so far been building during the film.  Then to complicate matters further, we are introduced to a man hiding out in the basement bunker, which only added to the confusion.  And when he finally makes his escape, it leads to death and chaos for all concerned.

This film received many positive reviews from viewers and won numerous awards, including being the first Korean film to secure the prestigious Palme d’Or, as well as being the first non-English language film to take home the Best Picture award. Yet, it was lost on me.  While the first half of “Parasite” builds up a captivating story, I felt the ending became too far-fetched, especially considering the Kim family’s lenient punishment of just probation for their crimes. Ultimately, it could have been a decent film, but the inconsistencies in storytelling kept it from reaching its full potential.