Film fans have been spoiled for choice in the 25 years of the 21st century so far. Movies like The Lord of the Rings, The Dark Knight, and The Revenant have entertained audiences worldwide. As a result, the debate about the best film of the century is still ongoing.
However, for many, the top spot belongs to Parasite, a gripping thriller from South Korea that is now available to stream on Netflix in the UK. Directed by Bong Joon Ho, Parasite follows a poor family who slowly infiltrate the lives of a wealthy household. The film moves from dark comedy to intense social drama, building to a shocking and unforgettable finale.
Earlier this year, The New York Times named Parasite the best film of the 21st century so far.
They described it as “a ferocious rebuke to the devastations of neoliberalism” and praised its unique ability to shift between genres. The publication added: “By the time it closed, [Bong] had a fistful of Oscars and the world had a new superstar.”
Parasite first premiered at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, where it became the first South Korean film to win the prestigious Palme d’Or.
It went on to achieve huge global success, grossing over $258 million on an $11.4 million budget.
The film made history at the 2020 Academy Awards by becoming the first non-English language film to win Best Picture.
It also picked up Oscars for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature Film.
It later won a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and became the first non-English-language film to win the SAG Award for Best Ensemble Cast.
On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 99% rating based on nearly 500 reviews, while Metacritic gives it a score of 97 out of 100.
In 2025, Rotten Tomatoes also placed Parasite fifth in its list of the 300 greatest films of all time.
Audiences have also shared glowing reviews. One person wrote: “I am remarkably stingy with my 10/10 ratings. I’ll be the first person to acknowledge this.
“Of the roughly 2,600 titles I’ve rated on here, only 34 have a 10. Parasite is one of them. If this isn’t a masterpiece, then I don’t know what is.”
Another said: “This movie is a gosh darn masterpiece. It will make you belly laugh, it will chill you to the bone, and it will make you shed a tear. This movie will stay with you long after the credits are over.”
A third added: “Do you want to see a movie that will have your stomach in knots, anxious during many scenes?
“Do you want to see a movie that will have you conflicted on who you’re rooting for? Regardless of your answers, see Parasite. Parasite ticks along quietly until it is booming in your ears.”
And one viewer summed it up simply: “This movie is so masterfully written and presented with a large cast that older audiences will realise how rare movies like this have become.”
Parasite is now available to watch on Netflix UK.