This Shocking Korean Horror Movie Is The Perfect Follow-Up To "Parasite" (2019) (2024)

Although Parasite is widely regarded as one of the most successful standalone South Korean movies of all time, an unconnected 2023 film is actually the perfect follow-up. Bong Joon-ho's acclaimed suspense-thriller won the 2020 Oscar for Best Picture, becoming the first foreign-language film to do so and reinforcing South Korea's prominence on the global stage. Now, first-time director Jason Yu follows in Bong's footsteps with his debut film, Sleep, once again showcasing South Korea's flair for masterful, edge-of-your-seat filmmaking, and heralding a new generation of Korean horror movie directors.

There's no denying that South Korea has been at the forefront of exciting, high-quality cinema in recent years, often blending social commentary, shocking visuals, and thrilling narratives to captivate international audiences. Sleep continues the trend. The movie follows Soo-jin, a pregnant woman who discovers her newlywed husband, Hyeon-soo, sleepwalks at night. What starts off as a seemingly innocent habit be comes increasingly dangerous. From self-inflicted scratches to almost falling out of a window, Hyeon-soo's nightly behavior puts his own life and his family's at risk, sparking a tense story that echoes Parasite's greatest strengths.

Sleep And Parasite Subvert Audience Expectations Through Unexpected Twists

Parasite surprisingly has a lot of funny moments, and so does Sleep. Both films contain black comedy despite also being extremely suspenseful throughout. However, one of the main parallels between the films is the way audience expectations are subverted through shocking twists and turns as the narrative unfolds. For instance, Parasite starts off as a pretty straightforward rags-to-riches story but gradually, through its second-act twist, transforms into a multifaceted exploration of South Korea's class inequality and wealth disparity. Likewise, Sleep also reveals its underlying themes through unexpected twists.

At the beginning of the film, Sleep focuses on its two primary characters, Soo-jin and Hyeon-soo. Eventually, audiences soon discover that there is someone else involved in this mystery. As the story unfolds, the narrative introduces a supernatural element, when a shaman reveals that Hyeon-soo's sleepwalking is caused by possession, as revenge by their deceased neighbor. This nightmarish revelation transforms a darkly-comedic domestic drama into a ghostly revenge story about possession. Like Parasite, Jason Yu subverts a seemingly simple story into a deeper exploration of societal issues, successfully reaffirming his talents as a director in the horror genre.

Sleep Is A Critical And Commercial Success

It Screened At The 2023 Critic's Week Competition At Cannes Film Festival

In addition to being nominated for the Grand Prix and Caméra d'Or Award at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, Jason Yu's low-budget horror movie grossed $10.7 million at the domestic box office, accounting for 38.7% of ticket sales upon its initial weekend release, making it a commercial success. The film also garnered a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with several reviews praising Yu for his exceptional direction. An Observer (UK) review for Sleep commended Yu's ability to harness the film's comedy in the first half, as well as integrating the "claustrophobic tension" in the latter half.

Bong Joon-ho himself also has spoken highly of Sleep, claiming it as "the most unique horror film and smartest debut film" he has seen in years (Screen Daily). Not only has Bong directed one of the Best South Korean Thrillers of the 2010s, but he is internationally recognized as one of the leading filmmakers working in the industry today. Bong's critical approval and endorsem*nt of the film could mean great things for Jason Yu in the future, potentially catapulting Yu into the mainstream and perhaps even earning him an Academy Award nomination in the foreseeable future.

Bong Joon-ho Helped Make The Film Come To Life

Jason Yu Was Inspired By Bong Joon-ho's Work

Late Actor Lee Sun-kyun's performance as the lead husband in Sleep was phenomenal in bringing the film to life. However, this accomplishment would not have been possible without the help of Bong Joon-ho. Jason Yu's professional relationship with Bong began during the production of Bong's action-adventure film, Okja (2017), where he worked as a sound-mixing coordinator. During the pre-production of Yu's directorial debut, Bong highly recommended Lee Sun-kyun for the lead role, ultimately contributing to the film's success and international appeal.

In an interview with The Korea Herald, Yu described undergoing "overwhelming stress and anxiety" prior to Sleep's premiere at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. However, it's abundantly clear that this talented newcomer has already demonstrated his skills as a horror director, captivating audiences both nationally and internationally. With support from Korean cinema master and Parasite director Bong Joon-ho, there is no doubt that Yu will continue to make suspenseful and thrilling films like Sleep, solidifying South Korea's status as a leading figure in the global cinema landscape.

Source: Observer (UK), Screen Daily, The Korea Herald

Parasite

R

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

*Availability in US

Director

Bong Joon Ho

Release Date

November 8, 2019

Cast

Yeo-Jeong Jo , Myeong-hoon Park , Jeong-eun Lee , Sun-kyun Lee , Ji-so Jung , So-dam Park , Keun-rok Park , Kang-ho Song , Ji-hye Lee , Woo-sik Choi , Seo-joon Park , Hye-jin Jang

Runtime

132 minutes

See Also

Longer-term Effect of Physical Activity Intervention on Sleep Quality: A Secondary Analysis of Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial