“Parasite” is a South Korean film that starts off brilliantly and then it takes some really clever twists and turns. I honestly was amazed by it but then the final few scenes feel rather unsatisfying. It’s a weak way to end what was a brilliant experience in so many ways.

A poor family decides to exploit the naïve nature of a wealthy family. They con their way into situation in which they are all employed by the wealthy family in roles including private tutor and housekeeper. They find themselves feeding off the family in every way but they might not be the only ones that are hiding things.

The characters in this movie are interesting because you initially see the poor Kim family as the ones in the wrong. They lie and cheat their way into a better existence but as the movie continues, we see some of the other characters are not so innocent. However, the movie has a rather muddled message at the end. Is the divide between the characters one of class or one of morality? I don’t know and I don’t think the filmmakers know exactly what the answer is either. I think most of the performances are really good though.

“Parasite” looks great. Much of it is very disturbing in a realistic way. It makes you question just how much you really know about a lot of the people in your life; are they truly what they claim to be? Director Bong Joon Ho (“Snowpiercer”, “Okja”) almost created a masterpiece here. Up until the birthday party, this is an incredible movie but the last part is just meaningless to me. Perhaps I’m wrong and maybe this is a flawless film but I just didn’t see it that way. It’s still really good and worth checking out though.