Parasite spoilers explained

What is the main twist in Parasite?

The Kim family has been secretly infiltrating the Park household by having each member take on a job: Ki-woo (Choi Woo-shik) as an English tutor, Ki-jeong (Park So-dam) as an art therapist, Kim Chung-sook (Jang Hye-jin) as the housekeeper, and Kim Ki-taek (Song Kang-ho) as the driver. The twist occurs when the former housekeeper Moon-gwang (Lee Jung-eun) returns and reveals that her husband Geun-sae (Park Myung-hoon) has been living in the hidden underground bunker beneath the house for years. The Kims' elaborate deception is exposed, leading to a violent struggle between the two families.

What happens in Parasite?

The film opens in a semi-basement apartment in Seoul, where the Kim family—father Ki-taek, mother Chung-sook, son Ki-woo, and daughter Ki-jeong—struggle with poverty. They fold pizza boxes for a meager income and rely on stealing Wi-Fi from a nearby café. One day, Ki-woo’s friend Min-hyuk (Park Seo-joon) offers him a job as an English tutor for the wealthy Park family’s daughter, Da-hye (Jung Ji-so). Min-hyuk is leaving to study abroad and trusts Ki-woo to take his place, advising him to use a fake university credential.

Ki-woo arrives at the Parks’ modernist house, designed by a famous architect. He meets Mrs. Park (Cho Yeo-jeong), a naive and impressionable woman, and her young son Da-song (Jung Hyeon-jun), who is obsessed with drawing and has a history of trauma. Ki-woo quickly charms Mrs. Park and begins tutoring Da-hye. He then devises a plan to get his sister hired as an art therapist for Da-song. Ki-jeong poses as a professional named “Jessica” and convinces Mrs. Park that Da-song’s art reveals deep psychological issues. She is hired.

Next, the Kims target the driver, Yoon (Kim Kyung-ik). Ki-woo and Ki-jeong plant evidence of a sexual affair in the car, leading to Yoon’s dismissal. Ki-taek then applies for the driver position, impressing Mr. Park with his calm demeanor. Finally, they target the housekeeper, Moon-gwang. Ki-jeong secretly triggers a peach allergy in Moon-gwang, making her appear to have tuberculosis. Mrs. Park fires her, and Chung-sook is hired as the new housekeeper.

The Kims now all work for the Parks, but they must keep their relationships secret. They celebrate in the living room while the Parks are away, eating and drinking. However, a sudden rainstorm forces the Parks to cancel their camping trip and return home. The Kims scramble to hide: Ki-taek, Chung-sook, and the kids hide under the table in the living room while the Parks sleep on the couch. They overhear Mr. Park complaining about the smell of the poor, specifically Ki-taek’s odor.

The next day, the Parks leave for a barbecue party. The Kims return to the house to enjoy it again. But Moon-gwang, the former housekeeper, shows up at the door, claiming she forgot something in the basement. Chung-sook lets her in, and Moon-gwang reveals the hidden bunker, where her husband Geun-sae has been living for years to avoid loan sharks. Moon-gwang discovers the Kims’ deception and threatens to expose them. A violent struggle ensues, with the Kims tying up Moon-gwang and Geun-sae. However, the Parks call to say they are returning early because the rain has stopped. The Kims must clean up and hide.

During the chaos, Moon-gwang breaks free and attacks Chung-sook. Ki-taek and Ki-woo try to subdue Geun-sae, but he escapes and runs upstairs. The Parks arrive, and the Kims pretend everything is normal. Ki-woo goes to the basement to check on the tied-up Moon-gwang, but she falls down the stairs and dies. Meanwhile, Da-song sets up a tent in the garden for a birthday party. Geun-sae, now free, grabs a kitchen knife and attacks the party, stabbing Ki-jeong in the chest. He then goes after Da-song. Ki-taek fights Geun-sae, eventually killing him with a barbecue skewer.

In the chaos, Mr. Park orders Ki-taek to drive him and the injured Da-song to the hospital. As Ki-taek picks up the car keys, Mr. Park reacts with disgust to the smell of Ki-taek’s blood and sweat, pinching his nose. This triggers Ki-taek’s rage, and he stabs Mr. Park to death. Ki-taek then runs into the house and disappears into the bunker, sealing the entrance.

The film jumps forward. Ki-woo survives the attack, but Ki-jeong dies from her wounds. Ki-taek is missing, presumed dead or a fugitive. Ki-woo and Chung-sook are convicted of fraud but eventually released. Ki-woo becomes obsessed with buying the Park house, which is now for sale. He writes a letter to his father, promising to one day buy the house so Ki-taek can come out of the bunker. The final scene shows Ki-woo standing in the snow, looking at the house, while Ki-taek watches him from the bunker through a hidden camera. Ki-woo smiles, but the reality is that he will likely never earn enough money to buy the house. The film ends with Ki-woo’s fantasy of reuniting with his father, leaving the outcome ambiguous.

Quick, non-spoiler context

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.