What is the Plot of the Movie Parasite
A Brief Review of the Movie Parasite
The first non-English language production to win Best Picture is from South Korea! Bong-Joon-Ho's "Parasite," which made history by being honored with the Best Picture award at the 92nd Academy Awards as a non-English language film, seems set to make waves with its humorous take on social status differences. "Parasite," which also didn't return empty-handed from the Oscars with awards for Best Director, Best International Feature Film, and Best Original Screenplay, offers viewers a unique enjoyment by blending elements of suspense with comedy. The Plot of the Movie Parasite The film's plot revolves around Ki-woo, who lives in a semi-basement apartment with his family of low social standing. One day, when his close friend Min-Hyuk goes abroad to study, he wants to hand over his own job to Ki-woo. Although Ki-woo is initially reluctant to accept this job, knowing his English is insufficient for teaching, his friend persuades him. With his friend's recommendation and his quick wit during the job interview, Ki-woo lands a very good job. What follows is the gradual infiltration of Ki-woo's family members into this wealthy family one by one. He gets his sister a job as an English tutor for the wealthy family's young son, his mother for cleaning and kitchen duties, and his father as a private chauffeur, all through deceitful schemes and intrigues. When the wealthy owners of the house go on a camping trip, the former employee responsible for the house's cleaning and kitchen duties returns and disrupts the comfort of Ki-woo and his family. It turns out that the former employee's husband has been hiding in the house's secret bunker, leading to threats exchanged between the two families about reporting each other to the wealthy homeowners. The situation escalates further when the wealthy homeowners announce they are cutting their camping trip short and returning home early. Those hiding in the bunker slowly manage to escape. However, the heavy rain that begins around this time (which is also one of the film's most beautiful scenes) devastates the Ki-woo family's home. Ki-woo's father also fatally stabs the wealthy gentleman of the house while escaping from the bunker. Later, in the final part of the film, we see him surviving by staying in the bunker and communicating with his son via Morse code. His son promises to buy the mansion.
The Genre of the Film
It is true that one of the most noteworthy aspects of "Parasite," a black comedy from South Korea that blends suspense and comedy, is its humor-filled scenes. Ki-woo's attempts to get his family jobs at the mansion overlook all sorts of cunning and unethical behavior. While these elements amuse the audience, they actually reveal the ethical weakness of the Ki-woo family. On the other hand, the savage capitalist system, as a consequence of the struggle for life, social status differences, and economic ruin, drives people to such unethical behavior. This film, rich in plot, focuses on the dirty games a poor family resorts to in their struggle for survival. When it is revealed that the former housekeeper had to care for her sick husband in the bunker, the lack of social status is shared, and a critical perspective emerges on these dirty games. However, the comical elements continue throughout this process. This is precisely what showcases the film's quality. Scenes where so many devious ideas are brought to life evoke smiles and sometimes laughter from the audience. The Ki-woo family's understanding of human psychology is also evident, both in their job interviews with the mansion owners and in the words and actions they choose after being hired. They are aware of how difficult it is to earn money and consider resorting to these dirty games as a right within the harsh realities of life. Bong-Joon-Ho seems to have preferred to present the scope of the situation rather than demanding a critical view of the characters. The subsequent murder during an attack at the end of the film and their home being devastated by the rain can be seen as the consequence of these dirty games in the form of divine justice. It is not difficult to say that the movie "Parasite," with its every scene packed with content and flowing seamlessly, fully deserved its Academy Awards. Both the acting, the originality of the screenplay, and the director's choices have long since placed the film among the unforgettable. Bong-Joon-Ho has also already cultivated a significant Turkish fan base eagerly awaiting his new films.
