Asking for spoilers: is there a love triangle? Happy ending?
There is some heartbreak at the end but you can see it coming from the first episode so it's not a surprise.
As to love triangle... Male lead has a fiance but doesn't spend much time with her. The most important person to him is the prince he wants to put on the throne but he doesn't spend that much time with him either. So there are many intense emotions but little melodrama or romance.
The movie is called Parasites and at first the viewer think it means the poor family that deceives the rich family. Then we see another poor family that lives literally as cockroaches in the dark hidden place of the rich family's house.
Poor families fight with each other for survival as animals.
But in the end the viewer is shown that Parasites meant the rich family all along. It is them who dehumanizes and ignores poor people. Who contributes to economy where hard-working decent people have to become cockroaches and murderers to survive.
In a sense, the Parasites are us, the whole society that contributes to class divide. And our inaction leads to people living in absolutely atrocious environments, where their suffering is beyond imagination.
This is the most obvious message but there are many more. I'm not qualified enough to discuss them but there are papers and articles about them.
I can't help it but I keep reading the comments below like the reviews on Mona Lisa. "I though it was supposed to be the masterpiece but all I see is this semi-bald woman without eyebrows. Wasn't she supposed to have an unexplainable charm? Why is she so ugly? Does everyone proclaims it a masterpiece because of politics of 16th century Europe?"
Well, Parasites hasn't yet withstood a test of time. And to blindly believe the opinions of awards committees is certainly wrong. But, come on, people. This is not "an Emperor's new clothes" situation. No one is claiming Parasites is the movie for everyone. But to call it 'nothing special' because you didn't like it... Isn't it a bit ungracious?
I do not know what to say. I've watched it because it received several awards. But, I feel like it is not as impressive…
I think Parasites is not an entertaining movie.
Mainstream public didn't jump to watch it when it received Palm D'or at Cannes. But after it got oscars it seemed very plausible that the movie had to have some entertaining value, some mainstream appeal. I think a lot of people expected it to be Oldboy 2 - a dark thriller with crazy plot, dramatic scenes where someone cuts their own tongue, stuff like that.
But Parasites appeal lies in its perfect execution and the accessibility and unuversality of its message.
If one doesn't particularly care about cinematic side and prefers to watch movies for the thrill and not for the message then Parasites is not for them.
I am one of those people, for example. I'm in awe of the execution, I'd say the movie deserves all of the awards. But I can't help but wishfully think that it was a dark thriller and not this story that leaves you disgusted with yourself and horrified.
Can anyone tell me if the movie is good? I'm planning to watch it but I'm not sure if I should. Also, is there…
It's a brilliant movie from the artistic and story-telling points of view. So it's a must watch for those who enjoy cinema as artistic form.
It also has lots of dark (but really funny) humour and some suspense (but there is no jump-scares or gore).
The message is very clear so the viewer is not left in the dark by the end of the movie.
It is interesting to watch and leaves the viewer reeling for days.
But it doesn't give the viewer a dark thrill, it doesn't aim to entertain, and it's not about dramatic reveals of "Luke, I'm your father" style. So it's easy to watch but it's not the most entertaining thriller out there.
Watch it to see what a phrase "cinematic masterpiece" means, but don't watch it if you are looking for entertaining thriller.
Trigger warnings: all the scary stuff is in the implications of the story. So there is nothing graphic apart from some light gore. It's a dusturbing movie but due to its themes not due to graphic rape or nudity or other stuff art house movies like to show.
Oh, can you please recommend some other detective/thriller/mystery K-dramas? I read so many recommendations and gave a try to Missing Noir M but I found it quite cringy (maybe the first episode was bad?). So now I'm wary of OCN and the likes. But there must be dramas as good as Signal, right?
The story is deceptively simple and that's why people complain the movie is overhyped. But once you realise what the message is, the scope of it and the masterful way the story was told seem terrifying in their glory.
This is truly a movie that grips you hard and won't leave you for a long time after the credits rolled.
Yeah, it's really frustrating that Japanese dramas do not attract the same attention Korean drama do (thus, there is so little news coverage).
I completely agree with you on Mackenyu. On the other hand Yamazaki Kento pulled off his role in Kingdom pretty well and people had been sure he'd fail. So I hope Mackenyu will give great performance too.
You are right! I completely forgot! There could be a scene with Kenshin's and Kaoru's kid! They must include it or else (really, maple leaves won't cut it).
Talking about Arimura, I was thinking about OVA's femme fatale Tomoe when I considered the possible casting. But manga's Tomoe is actually a lot more sweet. Arimura would be great for sweeter Tomoe, probably.
Haha I wasn't gonna be involved in the hype but then the casting news swept me to this powerful current of excitement.
Anyway, there was no announcement for Tomoe today.
Girl's channel (Japanese netizen hub) is very happy with Mackenyu (because he's such an ikeman). He's not famous for his acting but success of Kingdom proved that actors playing in shounen adaptations do their utmost. So noone is worried about that.
Netizens aren't that generous to Arimura Kasumi. Some bring up the sex scene in Tsuioku hen ova between Kenshin and Tomoe and wonder if this scene will work with Takeru and Arimura.
Netizens also hilariously noticed that actor playing Tomoe would have Kubota as fiancee, Takeru as lover, and Mackenyu as devoted brother. Obviously, this is the main reason people are predisposed to pick on Tomoe's actor.
Btw weibo leaked Mackenyu's casting five hours before the official release.
People also expect Arimura Kasumi to be announced as an actor playing Tomoe early tomorrow morning (Tokyo time).
The big interview with Takeru is going out on Feb 19th. Perhaps, more light will be shed on the casting and the story.
Kaoru was abducted too many times already. Several Enishi's minions were already used in the first movie. Will Kubota Masataka, Eguchi Yosuke, Iseya Yusuke, Tsuchiya Tao reprise their roles? So many questions.
AHAHA... I was gonna post the same because he just posted his Enishi chara in his Insta ;)))
There is a rumour Arimura Kasumi will play Tomoe. Some have reservations about this choice. But... Well. Sato Takeru used to give people reservations too.
I'll pm you translation of the comments. The main point is, they've been eyeing Mackenyu for this role since his debut. His youthful energy, dark aura, and piercing gaze is quoted as the main reasons. They also say he has foreign airs which suits Enishi.
There was a video several days ago about his current musical where one can see that he has amazing build. I must admit, appearance and power-wise he makes great Enishi.
1) Who is the guy in white in the beginning of the trailer? Did Kenshin really fight any of Enishi's handmen? I can't recall.
2) There is a shot of Kenshin just after he has received his scar. Woah! Just like in the ova!
3) As expected, Mackenyu looks gorgeous. One prodigy fights another! Looks great.
As to love triangle... Male lead has a fiance but doesn't spend much time with her. The most important person to him is the prince he wants to put on the throne but he doesn't spend that much time with him either. So there are many intense emotions but little melodrama or romance.
The parallel with food stands, of corse. But the stone was not a peace offering.
Poor families fight with each other for survival as animals.
But in the end the viewer is shown that Parasites meant the rich family all along. It is them who dehumanizes and ignores poor people. Who contributes to economy where hard-working decent people have to become cockroaches and murderers to survive.
In a sense, the Parasites are us, the whole society that contributes to class divide. And our inaction leads to people living in absolutely atrocious environments, where their suffering is beyond imagination.
This is the most obvious message but there are many more. I'm not qualified enough to discuss them but there are papers and articles about them.
Well, Parasites hasn't yet withstood a test of time. And to blindly believe the opinions of awards committees is certainly wrong. But, come on, people. This is not "an Emperor's new clothes" situation. No one is claiming Parasites is the movie for everyone. But to call it 'nothing special' because you didn't like it... Isn't it a bit ungracious?
Mainstream public didn't jump to watch it when it received Palm D'or at Cannes. But after it got oscars it seemed very plausible that the movie had to have some entertaining value, some mainstream appeal. I think a lot of people expected it to be Oldboy 2 - a dark thriller with crazy plot, dramatic scenes where someone cuts their own tongue, stuff like that.
But Parasites appeal lies in its perfect execution and the accessibility and unuversality of its message.
If one doesn't particularly care about cinematic side and prefers to watch movies for the thrill and not for the message then Parasites is not for them.
I am one of those people, for example. I'm in awe of the execution, I'd say the movie deserves all of the awards. But I can't help but wishfully think that it was a dark thriller and not this story that leaves you disgusted with yourself and horrified.
It also has lots of dark (but really funny) humour and some suspense (but there is no jump-scares or gore).
The message is very clear so the viewer is not left in the dark by the end of the movie.
It is interesting to watch and leaves the viewer reeling for days.
But it doesn't give the viewer a dark thrill, it doesn't aim to entertain, and it's not about dramatic reveals of "Luke, I'm your father" style. So it's easy to watch but it's not the most entertaining thriller out there.
Watch it to see what a phrase "cinematic masterpiece" means, but don't watch it if you are looking for entertaining thriller.
Trigger warnings: all the scary stuff is in the implications of the story. So there is nothing graphic apart from some light gore. It's a dusturbing movie but due to its themes not due to graphic rape or nudity or other stuff art house movies like to show.
Thanks a lot!
The story is deceptively simple and that's why people complain the movie is overhyped. But once you realise what the message is, the scope of it and the masterful way the story was told seem terrifying in their glory.
This is truly a movie that grips you hard and won't leave you for a long time after the credits rolled.
I completely agree with you on Mackenyu. On the other hand Yamazaki Kento pulled off his role in Kingdom pretty well and people had been sure he'd fail. So I hope Mackenyu will give great performance too.
You are right! I completely forgot! There could be a scene with Kenshin's and Kaoru's kid! They must include it or else (really, maple leaves won't cut it).
Talking about Arimura, I was thinking about OVA's femme fatale Tomoe when I considered the possible casting. But manga's Tomoe is actually a lot more sweet. Arimura would be great for sweeter Tomoe, probably.
Anyway, there was no announcement for Tomoe today.
Girl's channel (Japanese netizen hub) is very happy with Mackenyu (because he's such an ikeman). He's not famous for his acting but success of Kingdom proved that actors playing in shounen adaptations do their utmost. So noone is worried about that.
Netizens aren't that generous to Arimura Kasumi. Some bring up the sex scene in Tsuioku hen ova between Kenshin and Tomoe and wonder if this scene will work with Takeru and Arimura.
Netizens also hilariously noticed that actor playing Tomoe would have Kubota as fiancee, Takeru as lover, and Mackenyu as devoted brother. Obviously, this is the main reason people are predisposed to pick on Tomoe's actor.
People also expect Arimura Kasumi to be announced as an actor playing Tomoe early tomorrow morning (Tokyo time).
The big interview with Takeru is going out on Feb 19th. Perhaps, more light will be shed on the casting and the story.
Kaoru was abducted too many times already. Several Enishi's minions were already used in the first movie. Will Kubota Masataka, Eguchi Yosuke, Iseya Yusuke, Tsuchiya Tao reprise their roles? So many questions.
I'll pm you translation of the comments. The main point is, they've been eyeing Mackenyu for this role since his debut. His youthful energy, dark aura, and piercing gaze is quoted as the main reasons. They also say he has foreign airs which suits Enishi.
There was a video several days ago about his current musical where one can see that he has amazing build. I must admit, appearance and power-wise he makes great Enishi.
I can't wait to see the fights between him and Takeru.