One would have to be living under a rock to be unaware of the impact that Bong Joon-Ho's directorial Parasite made when it was released in May 2019. The Korean drama, which seemed like a thriller, was so much more, with intricate layers that we are still dissecting over five years later. The movie was globally acclaimed and made it to the Oscars stage, winning the most awards the following year. It turned out to be the first Korean movie to win Best Film at the Oscars. It was also the first Korean movie to win the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. But now, with all those accolades and infinite praises, what if I told you that one key element of the movie was actually inspired by Mad Max: Fury Road? 

Mad Max: Fury Road Inspired a Key Element in Parasite?

Yes, you read that right. The Mad Max franchise, with a filmmaker as epic as George Miller at the helm, is one of the most revered franchises across the globe. The four-decade journey with the material has been fruitful, and there has not been a single bad film in it. However, Miller outdid himself in 2015 when he directed Mad Max: Fury Road. The movie where Tom Hardy took over the role of Max and Charlize Theron was introduced as Furiosa was the most well-made of them all. So now, when Bong Joon-Ho confesses that a key element in Parasite was inspired by that, we are not shocked.

According to Bong Joon-Ho, he was inspired by the pacing of Fury Road while making Parasite. He recalls how the film never stops and there is so much to grasp as the whole film keeps moving and telling us things on the go. The filmmaker, in the commentary for the Criterion edition of Parasite, spoke about this. If you remember, Mad Max: Fury Road was entirely shot on the road in a way that it feels like a single ride, with everything happening on the vehicles as the teams continue to fight.

Parasite director Bong Joon-Ho said, “That movie never stops. All of the background information in Fury Road appears quite naturally. The camera is always moving, but the information is explained through action. It was quite inspirational to me.”

About Parasite

Bong Joon-Ho’s classic Parasite, set in Korea, tells the story of a marginalized family plotting against a wealthy couple. They infiltrate their home by taking up several jobs until the day the rich couple leaves the house in their custody, unaware that the employees are actually a single family. A thriller ensues as the family of con artists is in for a surprise, discovering dark secrets buried deep in the house that leave the audience shocked.

Parasite is streaming in India on Sony LIV, and you can watch the film with your OTTplay Premium subscription. Stay tuned to OTTplay for more information on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.