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Drama thriller

Parasite (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Parasite (2019) movie poster

Parasite is a 2019 drama thriller directed by Joon-ho Bong, starring Andreas Fronk, Kang-ho Song and Jung Hyeon-jun. It runs 2 hours 12 minutes and earned $262.6 million worldwide on a $11.4 million budget. It won 4 Oscars, including Best Picture and Directing, and 10 awards in all. Critics gave it 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and 97 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.5/10.

IMDb rating
8.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
99%
worldwide gross
$262.6M
Oscars won
4
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Parasite (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 12m (132 min)
Director
Joon-ho Bong
Genres
Drama , Thriller , Comedy
Original language
Korean
Budget
$11.4M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Parasite About?

The premise of Parasite without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A poor family, the Kims, schemes to infiltrate the home of a wealthy, but naive, family, the Parks. Through clever manipulation, they gradually secure employment within the Park household, exploiting their vulnerabilities. As the Kims’ carefully constructed facade is threatened by the discovery of a startling secret, tensions escalate, leading to unexpected and darkly comedic consequences that challenge notions of class and morality.

Parasite Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • class differences
  • plot twist
  • fraud
  • social satire
  • scam
  • house
  • housekeeper
  • fake identity
  • wealth
  • rich family
  • class struggle
  • murder
+38 more
  • chauffeur
  • morse code
  • birthday
  • tutor
  • poor family
  • maid
  • rain
  • driver
  • heavy rain
  • basement
  • south korea
  • peach
  • poverty
  • sex scene
  • wifi
  • toilet
  • forgery
  • english lesson
  • husband wife relationship
  • allergy
  • public urination
  • camping
  • bunker
  • hiding under a table
  • flood
  • stabbing
  • secret door
  • cellar hideout
  • secret cellar
  • flooded city
  • teenage girl
  • flooded apartment
  • social class
  • rich snob
  • walkie talkie
  • slum
  • child's painting
  • reference to kim jong un
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Cast & crew

Parasite Cast & Characters

Andreas Fronk leads the cast, with Kang-ho Song and Jung Hyeon-jun. Directed by Joon-ho Bong; 21 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Parasite Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Parasite 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and 97 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 93/100, strongest in art & craft (92) and weakest in rewatch factor (88).

93 /100

Parasite Echo Score Breakdown

Parasite stands out for its meticulous integration of style, narrative, and thematic depth. Reviewers highlight Bong Joon Ho's disciplined directorial approach and the film’s seamless shifts between dark comedy and suspense. The ensemble performance and carefully structured plot are frequently cited as strengths, although a few observers noted occasional tonal unevenness and limited emotional attachment. In sum, the film’s innovative social satire and technical precision leave a lasting impression that largely outweighs minor reservations.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 92

    In terms of art and craft, Parasite exhibits highly disciplined direction and discerning frame composition. Critics and audiences praise the film’s controlled cinematography and precise visual framing that reinforce its satirical undercurrents. Production design and editing maintain fluid transitions between tonal shifts. Overall, the film’s visual construction delivers a cohesive and polished cinematic experience.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    When it comes to characters and emotion, the ensemble delivers nuanced performances with layered ambition and vulnerability. Many viewers commend the subtle interplay and tragicomic undertones that heighten empathy. A portion of the audience, however, found the characters occasionally archetypal and challenging to relate to on an emotional level. Overall, the film’s character work remains engaging and thoughtfully calibrated.

  • Story & Flow 90

    Regarding story and flow, Parasite’s plot unfolds with measured pacing and inventive twists that consistently defy expectations. The narrative machinery is praised for its polished structure and seamless genre transitions between comedy, suspense, and social commentary. A minority of viewers cited an early predictability or perceived exaggeration in tone shifts. Nonetheless, the storyline sustains tension and engagement throughout, culminating in a memorable and coherent narrative arc.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    In sensory terms, the film’s sound design and musical choices complement its visual style with precision. The score underscores shifts in mood without overpowering the narrative, while ambient effects reinforce the domestic environments. The cohesive visual palette and controlled sound mix contribute to an immersive atmosphere. Together, these elements create a refined and resonant sensory experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 88

    When considering rewatch value, Parasite’s layered narrative and social commentary offer fresh insights on subsequent viewings. Some viewers find repeated exposures rewarding, uncovering subtleties in production design and dialogue. A minority, however, felt the emotional distance limited repeated engagement. Overall, the interplay of intricate plotting and thematic depth affords the film a high degree of replay potential.

Plot

Parasite Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Parasite from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Kim Ki-Taek, played by Song Kang-Ho, is an unemployed driver struggling to make ends meet with his family, which includes his wife Choong-Sook, portrayed by Jang Hye-Jin, son Ki-Woo, played by Choi Woo-Sik, and daughter Ki-Jeong, represented by Park So-Dam. They live in a cramped semi-basement apartment, relying on meager jobs, such as folding pizza boxes, to survive.

Full summary

The whole story of Parasite, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Parasite Box Office & Budget

Parasite grossed $262.6 million worldwide on a $11.4 million budget, 23 times what it cost. $53.8 million came from the US and Canada and $208.8 million (79%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$262.6M

23× its budget

US & Canada
$53.8M
International
$208.8M
Budget
$11.4M
US & Canada 21% Rest of the world 79%
Awards

Parasite Awards & Nominations

Parasite won 4 Oscars, including Best Picture and Directing, and 10 awards in all. Its biggest night was the Oscars 2020, with 4 wins from 6 nominations.

10 wins26 nominations9 ceremonies

Show all 9 ceremonies
Videos

Parasite Trailers & Videos

39 videos: 6 trailers, 7 teasers, 1 clip and 25 featurettes.

All 39 videos
Official Int'l Main Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Trailer Official Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Trailer Official Australian Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Trailer Official US Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Trailer Official US Trailer 2 [Subtitled]
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Parasite?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What kind of apartment do the Kim family live in?

Cars

Cars in Parasite

14 cars on screen, including the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W222 and the 2004 Daewoo Damas II.

All 14 cars
  • 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W222 in Parasite 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W222 Main role
  • 2004 Daewoo Damas II in Parasite 2004 Daewoo Damas II Minor role
  • 2011 Hyundai Grandeur in Parasite 2011 Hyundai Grandeur Minor role
  • 2018 Land-Rover Range Rover Velar in Parasite 2018 Land-Rover Range Rover Velar Minor role
Details

Parasite Also Known As

29 alternative titles, including “ชนชั้นปรสิต” and “パラサイト 半地下の家族:2019”.

Also known as
  • ชนชั้นปรสิต
  • パラサイト 半地下の家族:2019
  • Parásitos
  • Parazit
  • Gisaengchung
  • 上流寄生族
  • 寄生虫
  • 기생충
  • 寄生上流
  • Մակաբույծ
  • Паразиты
  • Parasitas
+17 more
  • Παράσιτα
  • Паразити
  • パラサイト 半地下の家族
  • Ký Sinh Trùng
  • פרזיטים
  • Паразит
  • Élősködők
  • Parasita
  • Parazitas
  • Parasitt
  • Sníkjudýrin
  • طفيلي
  • Parazīts, პარაზიტი
  • انگل
  • Paràsits
  • Parasiit
  • Арамтамақтар

Seen Parasite?

FAQ

Parasite FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Parasite, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Parasite?

Parasite runs 2 hours 12 minutes (132 minutes).

When was Parasite released?

Parasite was released on October 11, 2019.

Who directed Parasite?

Parasite was directed by Joon-ho Bong.

More films by Joon-ho Bong

Who is in the cast of Parasite?

Parasite stars Andreas Fronk, Kang-ho Song and Jung Hyeon-jun, among 21 credited actors.

How much did Parasite make at the box office?

Parasite grossed $262.6 million worldwide ($53.8 million domestic, $208.8 million international) on a budget of $11.4 million.

How is Parasite rated?

Parasite has 8.5/10 on IMDb, 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, 97 on Metacritic and 85% on TMDB.

What awards did Parasite win?

Parasite won 10 awards from 26 nominations, including Best International Film Release at the Saturn Awards 2021.

Does Parasite have a post-credit scene?

No. Parasite has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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