A Masterpiece That Redefined Modern Cinema
When Parasite won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2020, it didn’t just make history — it made a statement. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, this South Korean film isn’t just a thriller or a dark comedy; it is a biting social commentary wrapped in masterful storytelling and stunning visuals.
At its core, Parasite is about class — the invisible yet unbridgeable gap between the rich and the poor. The movie examines how the lives of two families, the wealthy Parks and the struggling Kims, intertwine in ways that are unsettling, tragic, and deeply symbolic.
The beauty of Parasite lies not only in its plot twists, but in how it makes you think. It doesn’t lecture. Instead, it paints the divide between classes with precision, metaphor, and raw honesty.
Visual Storytelling Meets Social Commentary
From the very first scene, Bong Joon-ho uses visuals to symbolize status. The Kim family’s semi-basement home — cramped, dirty, and half below the surface — immediately reflects their position in society. In contrast, the Park family lives in a luxurious house with floor-to-ceiling windows, clean lines, and wide-open spaces — their lives are literally and figuratively “above” the Kims.
One of the most iconic metaphors in the film is the use of stairs. Characters are constantly climbing or descending, physically mirroring their rise or fall in social status. Whether it’s the Kim family sneaking up to the Park’s main floor or being forced to flee downhill to their flooded home, the verticality of space reinforces the economic hierarchy they cannot escape.
Even the rain — which the wealthy Park family sees as a “blessing” for the garden party — becomes a disaster for the Kims, who return to find their home submerged in sewage. The same event affects both families in drastically different ways, highlighting inequality in a hauntingly visual manner.
Who Is the Real Parasite?
A question that lingers long after the credits roll is: who is the parasite? At first glance, the title seems to refer to the Kims, who infiltrate the Park household by pretending to be unrelated professionals. But the more you watch, the more the definition blurs.
The Parks rely heavily on the Kims’ services — driver, tutor, housekeeper — yet treat them as disposable. They benefit from the poor while remaining completely disconnected from their struggles. The film challenges the viewer to consider who is truly dependent on whom.
This complex layering is what makes Parasite so brilliant. There are no clear villains or heroes — just systems, illusions, and consequences.
A Global Conversation Sparked by Korean Cinema
What makes Parasite universally powerful is its relevance beyond borders. Though set in South Korea, the themes of inequality, capitalism, and invisible social walls apply globally. The film doesn’t just tell a story; it holds up a mirror to modern society.
By blending humor, horror, irony, and tragedy, Bong Joon-ho creates a cinematic experience that lingers long after it’s over.
Conclusion: The Art of Storytelling with Purpose
The Parasite movie class struggle theme isn’t just a subplot — it’s the entire foundation of the film. With every frame, line, and transition, Parasite invites viewers to reflect on the world we live in.
In a time when many films entertain, Parasite dares to educate — artistically and unapologetically.
