Title: Class Struggle and the Illusion of Mobility in Parasite

Title: Class Struggle and the Illusion of Mobility in Parasite

Bong Joon-ho’s 2019 Academy Award-winning film Parasite is a searing critique of class division and the social structures that uphold it. Through the story of the Kim and Park families—one impoverished and cunning, the other wealthy and oblivious—Parasite explores themes of social inequality, deception, space, and the illusion of upward mobility. The film blends elements of dark comedy, thriller, and tragedy to examine how deeply entrenched class divides are, and how the desire to escape poverty can lead to moral compromise and even violence.

1. Class Divide and Social Inequality

At its core, Parasite is a film about class struggle. The Kim family lives in a semi-basement apartment, a literal and figurative underworld that reflects their position in society. Their daily lives are marked by poverty, grift, and a constant fight for survival. In contrast, the Park family resides in a sleek, architecturally refined home with open spaces, sunlight, and automated amenities. The visual contrast between the two homes is stark and purposeful, emphasizing the divide between the “haves” and “have-nots.”

Bong uses architecture and vertical space to symbolize social hierarchy. The film's geography is crucial: the Kims live below ground, then climb their way—both literally and metaphorically—into the world of the Parks. They ascend stairs to enter the Park home, but are ultimately forced to descend back into the darkness and degradation of their own lives. The climactic rainstorm drives this metaphor home: while the Parks enjoy the beauty of the weather from their windows, the Kims return to find their home flooded with sewage.