PARASITE Analysis: Story Structure, Themes, and Easter Eggs Explained | Screenwriting 101

In this episode, we go scene-by-scene to break down the three act structure of the Academy Award-winning masterpiece PARASITE -- written by Bong Joon Ho and Jin-won Han -- in order to analyze its themes, story structure, and character arcs.
Rent or buy Parasite: • Parasite
Check out the rest of my film analysis videos and plot breakdowns:
🔹 Skyfall: • SKYFALL Analysis: Stor... ​
🔹 Parasite: • PARASITE Analysis: Sto... ​
🔹 Us: • US Analysis: Story Str...
🔹 Doctor Strange: • DOCTOR STRANGE Analysi... ​
🔹 Soul: • Pixar's SOUL Analysis:...
🔹 Bridesmaids: • BRIDESMAIDS Analysis: ...
🔹 Nightcrawler: • Video
THREE ACT STRUCTURE OF PARASITE
🔸 0 - 9 •••••••••• Meet the Heroes
🔸 9 •••••••••••••• Inciting Incident (Challenge From the Universe)
🔸 9 - 20 ••••••••• Preparation
🔸 20 ••••••••••••• End of Act 1 (Challenge Accepted)
🔸 20 - 56 ••••••• The Heist
🔸 56 - 63 ••••••• Midpoint (False Victory)
🔸 63 - 80 ••••••• Roll Downhill (Surprise)
🔸 80 - 100 ••••• Roll Downhill (Suspense)
🔸 100 ••••••••••• End of Act 2 (Rock Bottom)
🔸 100 - 110 •••• Ride Into Battle
🔸 110 - 117 •••• Climax
🔸 117 - 128 •••• Resolution
One of the best ways to teach yourself screenwriting and film analysis is to break down the screenplays of films you like. Here at ClassAct, that's exactly what we do -- using classic principles of three act structure, we break down movies and their screenplays scene-by-scene, so that we might learn some new techniques for our own screenwriting journeys.
PARASITE
Written by Bong Joon Ho & Jin-won Han
Directed by Bong Joon Ho
CLASSACT
Written, Directed, Edited by Wigham Foothill
Music by TrackTribe, Silent Partner, Biz Baz Studio, Aaron Lieberman, Cooper Cannell, Kevin MacLeod, Esther Abrami and Joey Pecoraro
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro to Parasite
00:30 Plot Points Overview
00:44 0 - 9 | Meet the Heroes
02:38 9 | Inciting Incident
03:09 9 - 20 | Preparation
04:09 20 | End of Act 1
04:43 20 - 56 | The Heist
07:42 56 - 63 | Midpoint
08:01 63 - 80 | Roll Downhill (part 1)
09:46 80 - 100 | Roll Downhill (part 2)
11:56 100 | End of Act 2
12:32 100 - 110 | Ride Into Battle
12:53 110 - 117 | Climax
14:24 117 - 128 | Resolution
15:14 Final Analysis
•••••
Hit the Streets (Version 2) by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/

[@charliesuchi85]

Something about this movie I find very interesting that I haven't seen anyone talk about yet is how it seems to flip the script with the "parasite" symbolism as it enters act 3. At first, we think the "parasite" namesakes are the poor, feeding off the rich host. In the first 2/3 of the movie this is emphasized heavily, especially in act 2- lots of visual comparisons equating lower class people with insects (they "scatter like cockroaches when the lights come on"), showing poor people fight and kill each other over their limited resources like animals in the street, the way the Kim family hides when the Parks come home from camping. All very parasitic symbolism. But then when we break into act 3, after the Park family wakes up in the gym, they are not even given the opportunity to reconcile the ordeal they just went through, and instead their labor is conscripted. We feel the tension in the juxtaposition between the carefree, sheltered Mrs. Park and the struggling, exhausted, devastated Mr. Kim, the stressed and anxious Chung-Sook who worries about her family while she's forced to smile and pretend to be happy, forced to ignore her very real life-or-death problems and instead labor at this utterly superfluous event. Bong Joon-Ho paints a picture: we see the hard work and limited energy of the Kim family go toward someone else, while the Kims remain in need. Like a body that is unable to heal because a foreign entity is sucking up all of its resources. Suddenly the concept of who is REALLY the parasite comes into question. The film does a great job of illustrating the rich living off the labor of the poor, leaving them without the energy or resources to care for themselves. Massive, mansion-dwelling parasites.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Dude, Charlie, you literally just blew my mind. Did not see this until you framed it that way, now I can’t NOT see it

[@forgottozhonya957]

A point that you make about having plans goes to show how the rich are able to make plans on their future safely while the poor have everything to lose when they they try to make plans.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Absolutely true. Great observation!

[@Hankblue]

I noticed right at the end that the last words spoken in Parasite are the same last words spoken in The Green Mile, "so long". And the music plays the exact same chord progression as the one that plays in The Green Mile's ending (except on the piano instead of the strings). I'm quite sure it was intentional, and made me so happy because The Green Mile is also one of my favourite films.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Whoaaaaa 🤯

[@jacobdorn8789]

These videos never disappoint, great work!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Glad they're helpful, Jacob -- always feel free to holler if there are any films you'd like to see broken down! I'll do my best to put them in the rotation.

[@hojoon0724]

Underrated channel. This channel is gonna get huge

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Haha, appreciate the vote of confidence @hojoon0724. Glad you found it helpful!

[@LCreates]

Great video, I just think you misinterpreted the rich wife's reaction to her husband's death. You explain it as rich people not loving each other either. That would have been too easy, in my eyes, and not what the movie is trying to say. Her reaction is not void of emotion, far from it. She is utterly stunned, not believing or understanding what is happening in front of her. The next moment we can see her collapse. I think this symbolizes the ignorance and arrogance of the wealthy when looking down at the lower classes, like in the French revolution. The rich didn't realize how bad things were for the lower classes, didn't fear or anticipate a revolt whatsoever, until it was already too late and the guillotines took their heads, leaving them completely surprised, stunned and collapsing, and never understanding why this happened to them in the first place.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

This is a great point, LC - probably brought a little too much of my own bias into that one 😅 Love the historical comparison!

[@tammysilverwolf1085]

I genuinely loved this movie, and watching you break it down in this way really did a great job of explaining what made it so good (including Bong's excellent social commentary) was wonderful. I'm super excited to see your future videos look like. KZbin put your Skyfall video in front of me and it's been a lot of fun watching your catalogue. I know it's hard work, but thanks for taking the time to do it. Hope you and yours are staying safe and healthy!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Ah, that's very kind of you Tammy. Very glad you found it useful -- yes, it's a lot of work but I learn a lot with each one! Many more to come.

[@SkyzorzSB]

Oh mannnn, I haven't seen Parasite yet. I gotta watch it asap so I can get the most out of Class Act's newest video!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

DROP EVERYTHING

[@SkyzorzSB]

@@ClassActFilmSchool Just watched the movie and MAN - I mean I'm no dentist but I definitely enjoyed it! Thanks for working in some of the easter eggs and callbacks, totally missed some of that stuff!

[@ricardoderada6463]

Thank you for your videos. I am starting to make films and they help me a lot to organize my ideas.

[@NotoriousClub]

Wish I would’ve found you sooner. This was dope as hell. Much love!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Hey, appreciate that Dillon! Glad you found it helpful

[@studio500]

Very well done analysis!! Thank you for taking time to make this. Super helpful. I was recently re-reading Syd Field's "Screenplay" and came out with a slightly vague but sense of appreciation of the idea of "Plotpoint 1" and "Plotpoint 2." I never differentiated Inciting Incident vs. PP1 but after re-reading it - have a bit of an appreciation of it. Not as clear cut as Inciting Incident though. Anyhow, thanks for this review its great!!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Very glad you found it helpful! Keep on writing man, good luck on the journey.

[@19910601wsj]

Not to nitpick, it’s a Mercedes dealership that the Kim father learns about the car not a Lexus.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Gah! My wife and I joke - every video, I find exactly ONE little detail to flub. Good catch Eric :)

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

YES YES YES!!!!

[@bz7661]

I'm currently living the same story from the movie! I'm staying at a friend's that lives with his mom and dad. He's 30 years old, and mom still treats him like a baby, and he lives off from his hard-working father. My 30 year old friend has a big brother who's about to welcome a baby, he does not work and lives in a burrowed house and depends on dad for everything. Two parasites, and two stupid parents.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

I actually heard the writers pulled the story from experience as well!

[@janeenharrison1953]

Great movie! Good analysis! In addition...i found it telling that even the toilet was placed in a higher position than them...very sad interpretation of the situation!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Janeen…you just blew my mind. Did not even notice that until you said it

[@janeenharrison1953]

@@ClassActFilmSchool ha! Indeed. Next to the window of how we say.. Opportunity? Not likely with the toilet there.

[@Silverdude001]

There are literally hundreds of video essays on Parasite on YT, but this was one of the absolute best and most educational, thanks a lot!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Ah man, super kind of you. Glad to know you found it helpful!

[@auvidiscoch.4028]

Absolutely amazing editing and breakdown. I have a feeling this channel is going to grow very fast, very soon :)

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Ah, man that's too kind of you. Glad to know you found it useful (and I hope you're right!)

[@brunobilandzija1823]

good eye with the chairs 🙂 excellent breakdown! thank you!🥭

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Hey, glad you enjoyed!

[@suvdj7543]

Super well done I absolutely love this video!!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Thanks very much! Very glad you found it helpful.

[@ryanleung664]

So easy to follow and also pointed out a few scenes I missed, love it!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Glad you found it helpful, Ryan!

[@lnewmn]

Shame how u stoped uploading all ur videos are so well created , deserve more bro hope to c another upload soon

[@Thebreakdownshow1]

Love your videos you have a supporter in me. keep up the good work.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Much appreciated! And will do.

[@Jason-yw2ow]

perfect movie. perfect breakdown.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Agree on #1, Jason…and thanks for #2! Super kind of you.

[@mico8187]

This channel needs more subs. Better content than most out there.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Haha, very kind of you Mico

[@anyajohnson9827]

you deserve far more subs

[@zellypenn3784]

I agree!!!!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

You’re too kind, Anya. I’ll keep them coming and glad to know you found it helpful.

[@piotrratuszny2037]

Great Work Man! I'm fan of your channel from now on. It would be great if you do analyse some series. How do they connect the episodes etc.? But I know it's a lot of work. I appreciate it. Sorry for my Eng, I'm still learning. Best regards from Poland.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Hey, appreciate the kind words Piotr. It's definitely on the roadmap to start doing series -- spoiler alert, but we're creating a podcast where we do more of these breakdowns as well, so that we can do more of them faster. Glad you found it helpful and appreciate the kind words!

[@KunalBansalCreation]

KZbin algorithm needs to pick up your channel. Great work buddy 👍🏻

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Much appreciated, Kunal! Glad you found it helpful.

[@nonames0011]

make more videos please.... i like the way you explain it

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Hey, that's super nice! Very glad you found it helpful. More on the way.

[@nonames0011]

@@ClassActFilmSchool okkk thanku for your relpy 😍😍

[@josevelasco216]

Like Michael Jordan in the 90s. What a perfect analysis.

[@GuapLord5000]

The beat to end act 2 requires the protagonist to be “Ruthless, uncaring and willing to do whatever it takes to protect his wealth” like the rich. But when was it set up that the rich family itself was ruthless, uncaring and willing to do whatever it took to protect its wealth. Maybe content, gullible, careless, elitist. But those aren’t the same thing.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Haha hey man, fair enough

[@nostradamuskk]

brilliant

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Glad you found it helpful, Anoop!

[@vigneshvicky8139]

Loved it👍👍

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Glad you found it helpful, Vignesh!

[@iamnotlnw]

I would have miss a lot of symbolisms if not for this videos

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

That’s awesome. Glad you found it helpful!

[@mrhwl112]

I really love this concept of breaking down how the movie is written and mainly the "easter eggs" which I very often can't find (atleast for the first time watching the movie). But I must say that you should try to recognize car brands better :D Park family has Mercedes and not Lexus :P

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Haha! Great catch :) I swear, I always manage to mess ONE thing up in every one

[@StefTai]

amazing and clear analysis!! do you think the film has a B-story?

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Glad you found it helpful, Stefanos! I do definitely think there are “b-stories” in terms of each character’s part of the heist plot…but once the midpoint reversal happens and the family becomes one singular unit, I personally feel like it’s all the main plot all the time.

[@StefTai]

@@ClassActFilmSchool hmmm that makes sense. my first thought was that the B-story may be the romance between Kim-Woo and Da-Hye, which weaves in/out of A story (he learns housekeeper is allergic to peaches through her, he discusses "fitting in" with her, and ultimately she finds and carries him to safety), but not quite sure anymore.

[@sidramnaraine373]

Did you do the handmaiden?

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Haven't yet! I don't think I've actually seen it, embarrassingly. Should I give it a look?

[@AbhishekGupta-rg2jv]

do it for all nolan movies you're doing it great.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

I may or may not have Inception in the queue for a few vids down the line :)

[@AbhishekGupta-rg2jv]

@@ClassActFilmSchool so basically you're not confirming or denying it.

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Your videos are so good. Are you hitting Tik Tok at all? That's where we get the majority of our organic traffic, I think you should seriously consider it.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Much appreciated, guys! And I am so sorry -- I wanted to shout out to ROTLP in this episode and then it took me so long to make that I felt weird...it was a whole thing. Let me shout you guys out in the next one though (or if you'd prefer, I can do it when I actually have more than 20 views per video :P ). Really appreciate y'all's support -- and PS, your Batman ep the other day was fuegoooo

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Also...100% have not even looked at TikTok. Clearly plenty to learn when it comes to growing a channel -- once I've got a few more in the bank, I might hit y'all for some tips if you're up for it

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@ClassActFilmSchool It's all good bro don't worry about it!

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@ClassActFilmSchool hit us up anytime, Instagram DM is best

[@naina3982]

How did you classify the act? That first one ends at 20 minutes. I have taken up the movie for my dissertation,the teacher may seek for explanation of how the acts are accurately divided into three acts and I have no idea how it does work and there's no one to help. kindly help.

[@williamwest3594]

A bit late for a response, but here goes. Parasite is not a 3-act story. It's 4-act-either Ki Sho Ten Ketsu or the Korean equivalent work well to describe the film. Here's a basic description of Korean 4-act structure I cribbed off Wikipedia: (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kishōtenketsu) ~~~ 1 기: raising issues and introducing characters 2 승: the beginning of the action (but not to solve a problem, necessarily, but usually for self-realization) 3 전: a reversal or change in direction 4 결: the matter is concluded and any lessons are gained through the process or results ~~~ Act three is the climax: the surprise basement dweller and immediate aftermath. Act four is the consequence of acts 1 and 2 combining with act 3.

[@naina3982]

@@williamwest3594 thanks for such lucid explanation.

[@williamwest3594]

​@@naina3982, I'm glad to be of service :)

[@axelgoldfineds5328]

Could you do a Scorsese film?

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Thinking about it! Would be a hell of a study

[@Azaz011]

Great work sir👍 Are u a script writer?

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Thanks, Shaan! I am - not a professional one, though, just a hobbyist.

[@JibsMotoVlog]

Wow maybe the logo is looked alike, but that's the silver arrow or Mercedes Benz. Way much cooler then a Lexus

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Nice! Didn't even notice that

[@ed-od9sd]

to be honest, She looks more in shock than indifferent in the massacre scene.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

I hear that. The only thing I keep thinking is what an intentional filmmaker we're watching here...not a single shot in the film is wasted!

[@dokkivisionvids527]

You got Die Hard in your queue?

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

You know I do :)

[@dokkivisionvids527]

@@ClassActFilmSchool My man. (Denzel Voice)

[@sebastianlim2499]

Lexus =/= Mercedes 😂

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

🤦🏻‍♂️😂