According to film critics and regular viewers, one of the greatest cinematic masterpieces is a film that hit screens merely six years ago. Parasite, the 2019 dark comedy-thriller, not only captivated regular cinema-goers, but also clinched top honours at prestigious events like the Oscars and Cannes.
Rotten Tomatoes, a popular platform for film and TV reviews, has compiled a list of the 300 Best Movies of All Time. Parasite secured an impressive fifth place, trailing behind iconic films such as The Godfather, Casablanca, LA Confidential, and Seven Samurai. With near-perfect scores of 99% from professional critics and 95% from viewers, Parasite is a certified hit.
What Parasite is about – without spoilers
Without revealing too much, the critical consensus describes it as: “An urgent, brilliantly layered look at timely social themes, Parasite finds writer-director Bong Joon Ho in near-total command of his craft.”
This darkly funny thriller follows the impoverished Kim family as they infiltrate the affluent Park household.
Writer-director Bong Joon Ho aptly described his film as “a comedy without clowns, a tragedy without villains”.
While the narrative focuses on class conflict and social inequality in South Korea, the struggles of the Kim family struck a chord with global audiences.
Despite its serious themes, this two-hour-long film is far from a tedious watch. Fans on Rotten Tomatoes have praised its compelling storyline and “impeccable comedic timing”, claiming it “got them hooked”.
Another user said: “A beautiful film that brings you on a fun journey then leaves you stunned and introspective. My #1”.
The New York Times praised the movie as “brilliant and deeply unsettling”, highlighting its broad resonance: “The story takes place in South Korea but could easily unfold in Los Angeles or London.
“The director Bong Joon Ho creates specific spaces and faces – outer seamlessly meets inner here – that are in service to universal ideas about human dignity, class, life itself.”
The Guardian hailed it as a “gasp-inducing masterpiece”.
Where to watch Parasite
Parasite is available for streaming on Netflix across different countres. Netflix members in the US, UK, Canada, South Korea, Australia, among others, can access it right now.
What awards Parasite won – and the director’s plea to viewers
Parasite dominated the 2020 Academy Awards, bagging trophies for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature Film, marking it as the first non-English language film to secure Best Picture.
At the BAFTAs, it triumphed with Best Screenplay (Original) and Best Film Not in the English Language. It also clinched the prestigious Palme d’or at the Cannes Film Festival.
In an impassioned plea during the Golden Globes that year, director Bong urged viewers to embrace international cinema.
“Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films,” he implored through his translator.