I do look forward to audiences catching Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite.” It is no doubt going to be a movie that will have people talking – it’s an excellent post-screening conversation starter to boot. However, one thing that irked me most about the film was that there was absolutely no subtlety being used by Joon-ho. That’s why I wrote in my Cannes review that watching it felt like “Kore-eda on steroids.” Regardless, it’s a rather over-the-top but immensely watchable movie.
“Parasite” won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, which probably caught the attention of an incalculable amount of moviegoers, mostly due to the fact that Bong already had a loyal fanbase due to his movie-geek sensibilities in such visually stunning films as “Snowpiercer,” “Okja,” “The Host,” and “Mother.” Not all were perfect movies, but they were incredibly well-liked, so much so that the director’s loyal following actually has a name for itself — they are knowns as being part of the Bong Hive.
Despite the Cannes win having happened almost 6 months ago, “Parasite” became one of the buzziest films at Telluride and Toronto. The lines were record-setting according to the many people who were at those fests and tried to attend one of the screenings of Bong’s exceptionally entertaining film. Supposedly, 600+ people were shut out from its last screening at Telluride.
The near-universal acclaim has even led to some serious Oscar buzz, and I currently have Parasite making the Best Picture lineup in my predictions (which will be updated regularly over the course of the next few months). “Parasite,” having also been officially selected to represent Korea as their official submission for the Best Foreign Language Oscar, is a cinch to win that award.
“Parasite” will arrive in select theaters on October 11.