Parasite Movie Review: Watched Late, Was It Worth the Hype?

Alright, unpopular opinion incoming: I finally watched Parasite (yes, the Oscar-sweeping, critic-adored, Bong Joon-ho masterpiece)… and honestly? I wasn’t blown away.

Don’t get me wrong—the cinematography is gorgeous, the direction is sharp, and the performances are tight. It’s undeniably well-made. But somewhere between the genre shifts, the metaphors, and the slow-burn tension, I found myself asking… “Is this it?”

The film starts off strong. The struggling Kim family is instantly intriguing, and the slow infiltration into the rich Park family’s home is definitely clever. But as things escalated—from dark comedy to full-blown horror—it felt more like shock value than emotional depth. For a story about class divide, it felt strangely distant at times.

I get that Parasite is meant to be layered and symbolic. I respect that. But I also believe movies—no matter how brilliant—should connect emotionally, and for me, that connection just wasn’t there. It felt cold. Controlled. More of an academic exercise than an experience that moves you.

Maybe it’s just me. Maybe it’s the weight of all the awards and praise that built up expectations too high. But while Parasite is no doubt a technically stunning piece of work, I’m not sure I’d ever watch it again.

And that’s my take. Beautifully shot, sharply written, but not the emotional gut-punch everyone promised. Sometimes, the buzz is bigger than the bite.