Parasite film

What is Parasite – Elon Musk’s Favorite Movie of 2019

Elon Musk expressed his love for sci-fi movies such as Blade Runner and Star Wars, and even went and got a role in Rick and Morty Season 4. But the entrepreneur’s interests go way beyond that. 

On Christmas Eve, a twitter user asked Musk what his favorite movie of the year was, to which he replied: Parasite. Movie critics would applaud the response as the film won a Palme D’Or at Cannes. The film is in line for a potential Oscar.

Truth be told, I would have no idea about this movie if I didn’t come across this recent interaction on Twitter. That is not to say that I don’t keep up to date with international films. I recently saw Capernaum, a Lebanese movie, and liked it a lot.

But what is unique about Parasite, the film, and why are critics and general movie-going audiences in love with the Parasite?

Let’s find out.

What You Need To Know About ‘The Parasite’

Don’t get swayed by the title of this flick. The Parasite is not a horror film with disturbing themes. Nor does it have a dystopian idea of a post-apocalyptic world. 

Nope, it is far from these settings.

Parasite is a satirical thriller. The movie touches on themes such as social status, aspiration, and family. 

Bong Joon Ho has made movies on social classes before too: Snowpiercer, and Okja. Remember that Parasite may be the most daring storytelling by the maestro yet. 

The film looks like its a mix of dark humor, the ambitions of an ordinary man, and maybe if you keep watching, it might turn out to be an inspiring tale. But it is not. 

The movie, Parasite, will have you narrowing your eyes, waiting for the story to fall apart, and the narrative to wreak havoc. It does. 

The Parasite Plot

Kim Ki Woo played by Choi Woo Sik lives with his family on the edge of poverty. They fold boxes for a delivery company to make cash. When they need internet, they steal it from a coffee shop’s Wi-Fi; when they want to deal with their indoor pest problem, they leave the doors and windows open during the fumigation of the neighborhood. 

A scrappy family, right?

They’re trying to make ends meet in every way they can.

Kim Ki Woo then accepts a favor from a friend who recommends him as an English Tutor for a teenage student. He accepts it and forges a university degree. His employers are a wealthy family. 

Kim changes his name to Kevin, and Kevin has large plans. He wants to get his entire family working for this wealthy employer. Kim or Kevin manages to persuade his tutor’s mother that the youngest child also needs a tutor, an art tutor, and he knows just the person. Enter, Jessica, who is Kim Ki Woo’s sister, played by Park So Dam. Soon the parents follow, and all start working in the same house. 

Why You Should Watch the Parasite?

Take Elon Musk’s word for it. Parasite is a movie you do not want to miss. 

The Parasite is a great film for a variety of reasons, but one significant contributing factor is the team behind it. They’ve worked together on previous projects that turned out to be excellent productions. Prior experience and unique chemistry call for amazing collaborations.

The scriptwriter is Han Jin Won and Bong himself, which is where the most credit is due. Kung Pyo Hong returns on cinematography; he previously worked on Snowpiercer and Burning. 

The composition of every frame is clean and empty, and that is a vital part of the movie itself. The negative spaces can make you uneasy and suspicious as you gaze again and again at the walls and interior, wondering about the symbolic significance of such minimalism. 

The movie is social commentary gone berserk, yet even then, it doesn’t hold back and brings the truth. 

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