"Parasite," written and directed by South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon Ho, is a rare film: a completely original story that has captured the attention of the world. It also happens to not be in English.
It's complicated, unpredictable, political and fascinating. There's no question as to how it got nominated for six Academy Awards this year, including "Best Picture."
"Parasite" focuses on the Kims, a poor family who hatch a plan to become employed by the wealthy Park family by pretending to be unrelated, highly-qualified workers. Over the course of the film, they infiltrate the Parks' home and become entangled in their lives with unexpected results.
Unlike some of its competition, "Parasite" thrives on every level of filmmaking. Its production design is intricate, both in the Kim family's underprivileged neighborhood – and in particular, their grim, cramped semi-basement apartment – and in the Park family's spacious, minimalist home. The score, meanwhile, is well-crafted and works to help an audience that may be uncomfortable with reading subtitles feel more at ease. You're quick to forget that you may not actually understand what the actors are saying.
To that end, the performances in "Parasite" are also very impressive. In fact, given the buzz around the film, it's a little odd that the cast has been so rarely recognized this award season (with the exception of the SAG Awards, where they took home the top prize). So-dam Park has been rightfully lauded by critics as a breakout star of the film, but frequent Bong collaborator Kang-ho Song portrays the transition of his character, Kim Ki-taek, perfectly throughout the film. And Yeo-jeong Jo is mesmerizing as the anxious, naive, superficial Park Yeon-kyo.
RELATED:
Finally, perhaps the best aspect of "Parasite" is its story. It's so rare these days to come across a script that's truly original and unpredictable, but this one certainly is. It's incredibly well-paced, funny, suspenseful and, at times, devastating. It's full of visual parallels – beautifully directed by Bong – and there is no way to know when it begins how it will end.
"Parasite" is the film that should win "Best Picture." In just a few days, we'll find out if the Academy agrees.
RELATED:
Now for the big questions:
Who might enjoy "Parasite"?
Anyone who gives it a chance. But in particular, people who like it when films surprise them.
What else is it nominated for?
Best Director (Bong), Best Original Screenplay (Bong, Han Jin Won; story by Bong), Production Design, Film Editing and International Feature Film.
What's the likelihood it will win "Best Picture"?
It's pretty likely. All throughout awards season, four films have come up repeatedly in the conversation of what will win "Best Picture": "Parasite," "1917," "Joker" and "Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood." But as we near the finish line, the big day, it seems the pool has gotten even smaller. While it's still possible that "Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood" or "Joker" (or even some random, completely unexpected option) may reign victorious in the end, the real money is on "1917" or "Parasite." One would be a more traditional choice for the Academy – the other, a more impactful one. We'll all find out what they choose together on Sunday.
Ahead of the 92nd annual Academy Awards, KVUE's Britny Eubank is reviewing all of the Oscars' "Best Picture" nominees. If you'd like to read more of her thoughts on all sorts of movies, she writes about them every month. And don't forget to catch the Oscars on KVUE on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: