--- title: "Parasite: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/parasite/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/parasite" critics_score: 93 critics_reviews: 16 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Parasite (2019): what the critics said Critics' score 93 from 16 reviews: 16 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The consensus is strongly positive, with praise centred on Bong Joon-ho’s control of tone, intricate plotting and treatment of class inequality. Most critics find the shifts between black comedy and suspense both surprising and carefully managed, with the social commentary sharpening the entertainment rather than interrupting it. The ensemble’s comic timing draws repeated approval, as does the production design, which makes the contrast between the families’ homes central to the film’s account of wealth and status. The differences are largely matters of enthusiasm, with little outright resistance to the film. The Hollywood Reporter offers a more qualified response, finding the class commentary heavy-handed and the plotting cumbersome enough to need trimming. Those reservations run against the prevailing praise for disciplined storytelling, though even that review considers the film mostly successful. Elsewhere, critics differ more in emphasis, some dwelling on the mischief and suspense, others on the compassion and economic anxiety. ## Little White Lies — Hannah Strong Rating 4/5/5. 4 February 2020. The review calls Parasite a sharp, deadly black comedy and social satire about greed, class warfare, and the gig economy that burrows under the skin. It singles out the gleefully unhinged characters, tonal pivots from farce to grotesque, and Bong’s technical mastery and fearless critique of capitalism. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/parasite) ## Radio Times Rating 5/5. 7 February 2020. The review calls the film a flawless and consistently surprising satire that imaginatively tackles the gulf between rich and poor, with an air of mischief, trickery, and savage social commentary. It singles out the audacious con, farcical narrative alternating suspense and wit, sleek stylings, and devilish details as making it a wonderfully sneaky film. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-mnzzbq/parasite/) ## The i Paper — Demetrios Matheou Rating ★★★★★. 7 February 2020. The review calls Parasite a deliriously dark and brilliant black comedy whose social satire, twisty plotting and Hitchcockian tension make it a masterclass in accessible mainstream filmmaking with wide resonance on class divides. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/parasite-review-film-release-bong-joon-ho-best-picture-oscars-395392) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 7 February 2020. Bong Joon-ho’s satirical suspense thriller is a horribly fascinating, brilliantly written and superbly designed film with a glorious ensemble cast in an elegantly plotted nightmare about status envy and class resentment. It resonates as a scabrous black comedy about the suppressed horror of the overclass for its underlings and the idea of servants. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/feb/07/parasite-review-bong-joon-ho-south-korean-satire) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 30 October 2019. The critic calls the film the movie of the year for its biting portrayal of class and modern life. It singles out the director’s body of work and humane vision of rotting humanity as key context for why the story resonates. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/30/movies/bong-joon-ho-parasite.html) ## Film Comment — Mara Theodoropoulou Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 1 September 2019. Festival review. The critic describes Parasite as a film of deceptive first impressions that starts as an amusing satire of class divide before building to a delirious bloody climax, with the violent party sequence conveyed through clinical precision. [Read the review](https://www.filmcomment.com/parasite-portrait-of-a-lady-on-fire-and-fire-will-come/) ## Empire — John Nugent 3 February 2020. The critic describes Parasite as a miracle of a film that is pure Bong Joon-ho, scratching every cinematic itch with astonishing craft, entertaining con-man caper plotting that subverts into something profound about inequality and class. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/parasite/) ## IndieWire — David Ehrlich 21 May 2019. Festival review. The critic calls it a giddy, brilliant, and unclassifiable work that proves the director has become a genre unto himself, delivering a devastating electric shock of economic anxiety. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/parasite-review-bong-joon-ho-1202143634/) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang 9 October 2019. The review deems it thrilling and devastating, one of the year’s very best movies. It singles out the note-perfect ensemble performances and the filmmaker’s disciplined, clockwork storytelling that fuses satire, suspense and tragedy. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-10-09/parasite-review-bong-joon-ho) ## Screen Daily 22 May 2019. Festival review. The review describes Parasite as a vigorous, tightly controlled black comedy in home-invasion mode with scabrous social satire, hailing Bong's return to top form. It singles out the cast's comic timing and the film's Machiavellian mischief and cinematic brio. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/parasite-cannes-review/5139675.article) ## Sight and Sound — Trevor Johnston 4 February 2020. The critic praises the film's masterful plotting and genre shifts as a sharp satire on class divides in South Korean society, with the Parks' mansion and the poor family's basement home highlighting social inequality. The review singles out the brilliant production design and the cast's performances for creating moments of uncertainty and thematic depth. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/parasite-review-bong-joon-hos-masterfully-designed-crime-caper-comes-laced-with-satirical-venom) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Stephen Dalton 21 May 2019. Festival review. The critic finds it a mostly successful but heavy-handed detour into social realism with a timely punch on class issues. It is more coherent than the director's prior films like Snowpiercer or Okja, though plotted cumbersomely and in need of trimming. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/parasite-review-1212755/) ## The Independent 6 February 2020. The critic highlights the film's intricate examination of class conflict, noting how Bong Joon-ho makes viewers feel at home before subverting expectations through playful genre-blending and revelations about capitalism and social dynamics. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/parasite-review-bong-joon-ho-cast-director-oscars-2020-best-picture-a9319656.html) ## The Times — Ed Potton Rating ★★★★☆. 23 May 2019. Festival review. Bong Joon-ho delivers another hilarious, strange and wildly imaginative concoction about a poor family insinuating themselves into a rich household. The film veers between comedy, social commentary and darker fare with confident control. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/review-parasite-at-the-cannes-film-festival-f2rc5dgvv) ## Time Out — Dave Calhoun Rating 5 out of 5 stars. 21 May 2019. The review lauds it as a dazzling social satire and home-invasion drama that combines cinematic fireworks with commentary on inequality, calling it surprising and gripping from beginning to end. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/parasite-2019) ## Total Film 7 February 2020. The review praises Parasite as a pitch-black comedy that grips from the first frame, showcasing Bong Joon-ho's genre-hopping skill with drama, social commentary, horror and heart while delivering a strong Oscar contender. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/parasite-review/) ## Variety — Jessica Kiang 21 May 2019. Festival review. The critic praises Bong Joon-ho on excoriating form in an exceptional pitch-black tragicomedy about social inequality. It singles out the flawless craft, dark humor and bleak final impression of systemic divides that leave everyone hungry and poor. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/parasite-review-1203221435/) ## Vulture — Bilge Ebiri 22 May 2019. Festival review. The critic hails it as a nerve-racking masterpiece of constant agitated transformation that plays with identification and expectations, creating its own audience while remaining extremely moving and thrilling. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2019/05/bong-joon-hos-parasite-is-a-nerve-racking-masterpiece.html) ## Den of Geek — Lou Thomas Rating 5/5. 10 February 2020. The critic calls it a riotously entertaining arthouse thriller that cleverly tackles class division with wit and invention, noting it is Bong's best work to date and easily accessible while sympathizing with both families. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/parasite-review-a-riotously-entertaining-arthouse-thriller/) ## NME — Rhian Daly Rating 5/5. 6 February 2020. The critic hails it as a modern masterpiece and darkly comic thriller that burrows into Seoul's social hierarchy without picking sides, putting the flaws of both families on full display. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/parasite-review-bong-joon-ho-2602190) ## The Skinny — Jamie Dunn Rating ★★★★★. 12 July 2019. Festival review. The critic hails Parasite as the standout film and best Palme d'Or winner in at least a decade. They single out the shift from a sprightly heist comedy in the first half to a fierce, compassionate class satire in the second for praise. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/festivals/international-festivals/highlights-from-the-54th-karlovy-vary-international-film-festival) ## Consequence Rating A. 8 October 2019. Bong Joon-ho delivers another strong portrait of class warfare that rewards repeat viewings and reflection. The review commends the film's blend of comedy and tragedy without clear villains or easy moral answers. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2019/10/film-review-parasite/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 95/100 (inferred from the text). 8 October 2019. Festival review. The critic calls the film a flat-out masterpiece and socially conscious filmmaking of the highest order. He singles out the way it steers from funny, entertaining setup into unexpected territory with excellent ensemble acting and strong technical credits. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/video/parasite-review-bong-joon-ho-cannes-palme-dor-winner/) ## Polygon — Karen Han Fi1m's normalised score 95/100 (inferred from the text). 25 May 2019. Festival review. Bong Joon-ho's film is hailed as potentially the best of the year for its masterful shifts in tone and structure that keep surprising viewers. It praises the exhilarating balance of tension and the director's command of cinematic storytelling. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/25/18637592/parasite-review-bong-joon-ho-cannes-2019/) ## Collider — Gregory Ellwood Rating A-. 1 November 2019. Festival review. The critic praises Bong Joon-ho's direction for its masterful handling of an elaborate con game that keeps viewers rooting for the underdogs. The review highlights how the film reveals layers of class dynamics beyond the initial setup. [Read the review](https://collider.com/parasite-review-bong-joon-ho/) ## /Film — Jason Gorber Rating 9/10. 22 May 2019. Festival review. The critic praises Bong Joon-ho's shift to a family drama wrapped in a grifter's guise that's blisteringly good, highlighting the radical shifts in tone, social commentary on class, and the masterful execution that keeps the audience engaged through surprises and thematic depth. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/566598/parasite-review/) ## The Ringer — Adam Nayman Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 11 October 2019. Festival review. Parasite is celebrated as a twisted parable on class warfare that mixes satire, comedy, and terror with sharp sociology. The critic highlights its inventive storytelling and ability to merge multiple tones into a cohesive package. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2019/10/11/movies/paranoia-review-bacurau-tiff) ## HeyUGuys — Jo-Ann Titmarsh Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 23 May 2019. Festival review. The critic praises the film's shift to a class comedy-drama that is laugh-out-loud funny yet deeply troubling, highlighting its brilliant writing, zinging jokes, superb ensemble cast, and analysis of inequality in Korean society. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/parasite-review/) ## Paste — Kyle Turner Rating 8.5. 16 October 2019. The film is seen as an absurdist take on class performance and inequality, where characters navigate social roles with cognitive dissonance. It singles out the satirical edge and performances, especially in depicting the absurdity of wealth. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/bong-joon-ho/everyone-and-everything-is-a-performance-in-bong-j) ## The Wrap 9 October 2019. Festival review. The critic describes it as a stunning return to form and an ambitious, delightfully accomplished work with bold tonal leaps. He singles out the director’s unparalleled visual/spatial sophistication and unsparing social indictment. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/parasite-film-review-bong-joon-ho-tackles-disparity-with-delicious-dark-comedy/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/parasite.md