Parasite (2019) – Examining Its Powerful Class Commentary and Storytelling Approach

Parasite (2019), directed by Bong Joon-ho, is a masterful exploration of class division and social inequality. The film’s unique blend of dark comedy, thriller, and drama offers an incisive critique of the capitalist system, illustrating the vast disparity between the wealthy and the poor. Through the story of the Kim family’s infiltration of the affluent Park family’s home, the film reveals the complex dynamics of class and how poverty perpetuates a cycle of exploitation.

Bong’s approach to storytelling is unconventional, using visual metaphors, such as the basement (a literal and symbolic lower class) and the upstairs/downstairs architecture of the two families' homes, to depict the invisible barriers between the classes. Parasite’s shocking twists and social commentary made it a global success and earned it numerous accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Picture. It masterfully critiques societal structures while providing a cinematic experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Long Tail Keywords:

• Class commentary in Parasite 2019

• Parasite’s depiction of wealth and poverty

• Social inequality and exploitation in Parasite

• Parasite’s storytelling approach and visual metaphors