A versatile, metamorphic thrillride

Rating: 8/10 (17 February 2020)

Parasite seizes our expectations, breaks them down, builds them up, and knocks them down once more.
This Korean masterclass assumes no clear genre, refusing to pigeonhole its ambition.
Straddling the line between comedy, thriller, and horror, the production presents the conceptual 'parasite' as the underlying motif; it's a profound, tragic social commentary on classism as much as it is a satirical, sardonic throwaway remark on a parasite and its host.
Decorated with multidimensional metaphors, signs and symbols, it would be criminal to not have a second or even third viewing to fully soak up Bong Joo-ho's flavoursome visual poetry.
Should you laugh or cry? Take sides, or simply observe the events unfold? In taking no clear stance does this movie most thrive.
In stirring and string-pulling every capacity of human emotion while dodging the clichés does it tantalise the audience like few other productions have.
While slow in places, and with an occasional plothole, this was overall a gorgeously shot, satisfyingly unpredictable slice of thoughtful motion picture entertainment; presenting a particularly dark blend of black comedy.
8.4/10