Parasite

Main Plot

Parasite follows the story of the Kim family, who live in a cramped basement apartment and struggle to make ends meet. When the eldest son, Ki-woo, secures a job as an English tutor for the wealthy Park family's daughter, he devises a plan to infiltrate the affluent household. One by one, the Kims manipulate their way into the Parks' lives, with each family member taking on roles that allow them to exploit the Parks' naivety and privilege. As the Kims enjoy their newfound lifestyle, tensions rise, and the stark divide between the two families becomes increasingly apparent. The film explores themes of class disparity, greed, and the lengths people will go to improve their circumstances, leading to unexpected and dramatic consequences as the two families' worlds collide.

Characters

• Ki-taek, played by Song Kang-ho, is the father of a poor family who infiltrates a wealthy household by taking on various service jobs, leading to unexpected consequences.
• Lee Sun-kyun plays Mr. Park, a wealthy tech executive whose family becomes entangled with the scheming Kim family, leading to dramatic and tragic consequences.
• Cho Yeo-jeong plays Yeon-gyo, the naive and wealthy mother who hires the Kim family members, unknowingly entangling her family in their deceptive schemes.

Ending Explained

In the ending of Parasite, the tension culminates in a chaotic confrontation at the wealthy Park family's home during a birthday party. The previously hidden secrets of both the Kim and Park families come to light. The former housekeeper, who has been living in the basement, reveals herself and confronts the Kims, leading to a violent clash that results in multiple injuries and chaos. As the party descends into pandemonium, the Kim family’s carefully constructed facade unravels. Ki-taek, the father, ultimately kills Mr. Park in a moment of rage and desperation, symbolizing the culmination of class struggle and resentment. After this act, Ki-taek goes into hiding in the basement, mirroring the previous housekeeper's secret life. The film concludes with Ki-woo, the son, dreaming of a future where he can buy the house and rescue his father. However, the final scene reveals the stark reality: the dream is unattainable. The ending emphasizes the deep social divides and the cyclical nature of poverty and wealth, leaving viewers with a haunting sense of despair and the impossibility of escaping one's circumstances. This resolution reinforces the film's critique of class disparity and the lengths individuals will go to in pursuit of a better life.