Parasite (2019)
Kernel Score: 91% · 20,232 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Comedy, Thriller, Drama
Released: 2019-05-30
Runtime: 133 minutes
Is Parasite worth watching?
Must-watch. Bong Joon Ho's dark comedy about a poor family worming into a rich one keeps changing shape, from funny to tense to shocking, without losing control. It is sharp about money and class, and it earns its reputation.
Watch it if you
- like thrillers with something to say about class
- enjoy dark humour that turns suddenly
- are happy to read subtitles
Skip it if you
- dislike subtitles
- can't handle sudden, bloody violence
Best for: Date night with sharp conversation after
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Parasite
- Stream: Fubo, Paramount+
- Free with ads: Kanopy
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
All unemployed, Ki-taek's family takes peculiar interest in the wealthy and glamorous Parks for their livelihood until they get entangled in an unexpected incident.
Parasite parents' guide: ages 14+
Parents need to know that this R-rated thriller builds to shocking bloody violence and is driven by sharp anti-capitalist class commentary rather than wholesome messaging.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — A slow-burn psychological thriller that erupts into sudden, bloody 'caste' violence in its climax; disturbing and intense.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Parasite
If you liked Parasite, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Memories of Murder (2003) — 89%: Same director's tense, grim crime story
- Mother (2009) — 86%: Same director on a mother's desperate love
- Wild Tales (2014) — 89%: Dark, funny stories of people pushed past their limit
- Falling Down (1993) — 82%: An ordinary man snaps at social pressure
- After Hours (1985) — 84%: Escalating night of comic dread
- The Host (2006) — 77%: Same director's family-against-a-monster film
Director
Cast
- Song Kang-ho as Kim Ki-taek
- Lee Sun-kyun as Park Dong-ik
- Cho Yeo-jeong as Yeon-kyo
- Choi Woo-shik as Ki-woo
- Park So-dam as Ki-jung
- Lee Jung-eun as Moon-gwang
- Jang Hye-jin as Chung-sook
- Park Myung-hoon as Geun-se
- Jung Zi-so as Da-hye
- Jung Hyeon-jun as Da-song
Parasite FAQ
Is Parasite worth watching?
Must-watch. Bong Joon Ho's dark comedy about a poor family worming into a rich one keeps changing shape, from funny to tense to shocking, without losing control. It is sharp about money and class, and it earns its reputation.
Where can I watch Parasite?
In the US you can stream Parasite on Fubo and Paramount+, watch it free with ads on Kanopy and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Parasite OK for kids?
Parasite is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 14+. Parents need to know that this R-rated thriller builds to shocking bloody violence and is driven by sharp anti-capitalist class commentary rather than wholesome messaging.
What movies are like Parasite?
If you liked Parasite, try Memories of Murder, Mother, Wild Tales and Falling Down.