By Chris Wong — Watched it twice. Still noticing new details.
Last updated: May 2026
In 2020, a Korean movie won Best Picture at the Oscars. That had never happened before. Not for a foreign language film. Not for any film not in English.
The movie was Parasite. Directed by Bong Joon-ho.
If you have not seen it, you should. Here is why.
What Is Parasite?
Parasite is a thriller about two families. One is very poor. The other is very rich. The poor family slowly infiltrates the rich family’s household. One by one, they become tutors, drivers, and housekeepers. The rich family does not know they are all related.
Then things go wrong. Very wrong.
The movie is hard to categorize. It is a thriller. It is a dark comedy. It is a social drama. It changes genres halfway through. That is part of what makes it great.
Why It Won Best Picture
The script is perfect.
Every scene matters. Every detail comes back later. The first time you watch, you do not notice. The second time, you see all the clues. The third time, you see even more.
The directing is masterful.
Bong Joon-ho controls every frame. The camera moves between the rich house and the poor apartment. The rich house is open, bright, full of windows. The poor apartment is cramped, dark, half underground. You feel the difference without anyone telling you.
The acting is incredible.
The cast is Korean. Most of them are not famous outside Korea. They should be. Every performance is perfect. The rich family is not evil. The poor family is not innocent. Everyone is human. That is what makes it uncomfortable.
The themes are universal.
The movie is about class. About who has and who has not. About the invisible lines between rich and poor. That is not a Korean problem. That is a human problem.
What Makes It Different
Most movies about class are obvious. The rich are bad. The poor are good. Parasite does not do that.
The poor family lies. Cheats. Schemes. They are not heroes. The rich family is generous. Kind. They are not villains. But they are also oblivious. They do not see the people working for them as people.
The movie does not tell you who to root for. That is uncomfortable. It is also brilliant.
What to Expect
| Aspect | What You Will See |
|---|---|
| Language | Korean. English subtitles. |
| Runtime | 2 hours, 12 minutes |
| Tone | Funny. Tense. Shocking. Sad. |
| Violence | Yes. Some bloody scenes. Not constant. |
| Subtitles | Do not let them scare you. You forget you are reading. |
A Warning (No Spoilers)
The movie changes halfway through. You will know when. It becomes something else. Do not read about it. Do not look up the plot. Go in knowing as little as possible.
That is how it was meant to be watched.
Where to Watch
Parasite is streaming on several platforms. Check HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV. It is also available on DVD and Blu-ray.
It is worth renting. Worth buying. Worth watching more than once.
What to Watch After Parasite
If you like Parasite, watch more of Bong Joon-ho’s films.
| Movie | What It Is |
|---|---|
| Memories of Murder (2003) | A detective thriller based on a true story. Dark. Bleak. Brilliant. |
| The Host (2006) | A monster movie. But also a family drama. Also political. |
| Snowpiercer (2013) | A sci-fi action movie set on a train. Also about class. Also great. |
| Okja (2017) | A movie about a girl and a giant pig. Also about corporate greed. Also weird. |
Bong Joon-ho makes movies in different genres. They are all about the same thing: power, class, and the people crushed between them.
The Bottom Line
Parasite is not just a foreign film. It is not just an Oscar winner. It is a movie that works on every level. Acting. Directing. Writing. Editing. Sound. All of it.
It made history because it deserved to.
Watch it. Then watch it again. You will notice something new.
About the author: Chris Wong has seen Parasite three times. He will probably watch it again.
This article is for entertainment purposes. Subtitles are not scary. Watch more foreign films.
