If you were curious about whether any contemporary alien life form could appear more terrifying than the demogorgons from the renowned science fiction TV series Stranger Things, then Parasyte: The Grey presents a challenge for you. While they may not resemble the conventional image of parasites, the reality is even worse—they are fully formed, shape-shifting alien creatures. Instead of drawing a comparison to Stranger Things, which would be incredibly obvious, Parasyte: The Grey creates a far more sinister dimension when it comes to its world-building.
That all comes down to the first ten minutes of episode one. It prompts deep contemplation about our planet’s existence, raising strong, thought-provoking scenarios. The premise of Parasyte: The Grey deals with the battle to defeat parasites that are taking over the human race by ingesting their brains and using them as hosts, which is just as grim to watch as you’d imagine. The show has been adapted from the popular manga series Parasyte, created by Hitoshi Iwaaki. Live-action adaptations can be a tricky tightrope to navigate, but this one has been expertly put together, going above and beyond.
When music and visuals are combined properly, they are a dream to witness, and this unique combination kick-starts the series with a frighteningly chaotic opening scene. When the dreaded mutants invade their chosen human host and eventually bloom into full alien mode, the music serves as a warning to not let your guard down. Watching people be infiltrated and transformed into aliens in just a few seconds while still maintaining a smooth, well-executed, and, most importantly, realistic appearance is no easy feat.
This is the show to stick with if you’re after a fast-paced series with unfolding chaos and violence. My one piece of advice would be to press pause if you intend to sneak away to put the kettle on for a cup of tea, as this programme slows for no one, with action at every corner. This is partly due to Yeon Sang-Ho’s direction, which would rival many major blockbuster productions. Each episode feels more dramatically shot than the last, and despite much of the scenes being shot in low lighting or at night, it contributes to the ominous atmosphere, adding to the ongoing fear.
Another kudos to the series is the emphasis on strong female roles. In a police industry dominated by male police chiefs and detectives, it’s encouraging to see a strong woman lead the force and not back down. Detective Choi Jun-Kyung (Lee Jung-hyun) excels as Team Grey’s leader. Despite being presented as cold and stubborn, she eventually reveals her warmth, and she remains a formidable force to be reckoned with.
This is also mirrored in our main character, Jeong Su-In (Jeon So-nee), as she faces life head-on with a stoic attitude and steals the show with her gripping portrayal of navigating her new life. Eventually, she ends up working in tandem with the seemingly cowardly but strangely endearing Kang-Woo (Koo Kyo-hwan). Both of their story arcs develop nicely, with Kang-Woo redeeming himself from his past and doing what’s right, resulting in taking on a big brotherly role akin to a pair of quarrelling siblings. It’s an ever-developing story, expertly co-written by Hitoshi Iwaaki, with some interesting themes questioning how we humans live, survive, and protect ourselves in society.
There are no weak links in the casting itself; instead, the characters’ backstories are integrated alongside the main story to keep you gripped, which results in the most gloriously gorey sweet treat for us, the viewers. As someone who gets bored quickly with TV dramas due to the endless episodes and slow-paced narratives, Parasyte: The Grey is different, cleverly navigating the backstories in just six episodes, leaving no detail unturned. As an audience, we can feel satisfied knowing that we haven’t wasted hours watching everything unfold and develop. Although the ending leaves us with an intriguing cliffhanger, manga fans will be thrilled to see a familiar character appear for them to speculate on what could happen should a second season be given the green light.
So, if you’re searching for a roller coaster ride, then fasten your seatbelt, buckle up, and prepare yourself to experience the pinnacle of acting, action, and excellent scriptwriting. Make sure your stomach is ready for the unease and gore that are to be unleashed, as Parasyte: The Grey might have you re-evaluating why you enjoy horror. No review can convey just how unnerving this show is, and it is unquestionably a must-watch.
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Written by Kirsty Bright
View of the Arts is an online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.