This is the third feature film from South Korean director Bong Joon-ho (who would eventually achieve worldwide fame with films like 'Okja' and 'Parasite'), Superficially, 'Gwoemul' may sound like a common monster movie, but it's also a political satire set against an incident in 2000, in which a Korean mortician disposed of devastating amounts of formaldehyde on orders from the American military. In line with the best exponents of the subgenre, such as the original 1954 'Godzilla', this film is a more complex metaphor than it seems, with subtle touches of the eccentric humor that would mark his later filmography.
Based on the French comic book "Le Transperceneige," the movie features Chris Evans (from "Captain America: The First Avenger") as a hero in a class struggle. For those looking for sci-fi with action, humor, suspense, violence, and a strong critique of capitalism, they will find a feast in "Snowpiercer."
The Palme d'Or winning film from the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and Best Picture Oscar winner in 2020 is one that must be seen. Though the story takes place in South Korea, the social commentary on inequality in 'Gisaengchung' is as universal as it is masterfully presented by director Bong Joon-ho ('Okja'), aided by a cast whose performances are truly noteworthy. The South Korean filmmaker manages to draw us in with an electrifying and adrenaline-filled story that plays with all expectations of being a funny and acidly satirical social satire. All the unexpected twists and turns of the plot, as well as its shocking conclusion, make this a feature film that will have you thinking long after the credits roll. At the Golden Globes, it took home the gold in the Best Foreign Language Film category, as well as being nominated for Best Director and Best Screenplay.
Mickey 17 is a comedy and science fiction film directed by Bong Joon-ho, the Oscar-winning director of Okja). However, it tries to cover too many subplots and themes, relying heavily on devices like flashbacks and voiceovers to explain much of the story. It's far from the heights of Parasite, but it’s hard to look away from the eccentric Robert Pattinson on screen, keeping things highly entertaining. It's not Bong Joon-ho’s best film, but it certainly has more to say than the typical Hollywood blockbusters today.