Parasyte: The Grey (기생수: 더 그레이) is a live-action adaptation of the popular sci-fi manga series Parasyte by Hitoshi Iwaaki. The Netflix series is directed by Yeon Sang-ho and has 6 episodes in total, with a runtime of about 45-60 minutes. While the story is original to the series, the plot unfolds in an entirely different place than the manga.
As the world faces the threat of unidentified parasites that violently take over human hosts, a special force called The Grey unites to combat this growing unknown menace. On the other hand, Most infected humans have ceased to remain human at all — except Su-in. As she develops a symbiotic relationship with the Parasyte, the question balances in front of her – which side to pick?
The cast of the series includes Jeon So-nee as Jeong Su-in, Koo Kyo-hwan as Seol Kang-woo, Lee Jung-hyun as Choi Jun-kyung, Kwon Hae-hyo as Kim Chul-min, Kim In-kwon as Kang Won-seok, Lee Hyun-kyun as Kwan Hyuk-ju and others.
Parasyte: The Grey Review
The series starts with a question, wondering if the human population were to decline drastically, would the damage done by man-made activities decline as well? Having been through a pandemic collectively, one can say that the momentary halt did help our planet heal a bit. But it’s uncertain if the decrease in population is essential to that or if just making mindful decisions would help. Something like a symbiotic relationship, where if we take things from our planet to survive, we gotta give back equally to help it sustain itself.
Maybe that’s the lesson which the spores, from who knows where falling from the sky wanted the humans to learn. But the way of execution is brutally horror, as a slithering creature comes out of the spore with tentacles sprouting out and jumps right into a human brain — creating a tentacled creature that endangers all humans in sight. This scene takes place in an EDM festival where a parasyte takes over a man and kills anyone that comes near him.
At the same time in Namil City, Jeong Su-in, a cashier at a local supermarket comes across a rude customer who threatens to kill her over his own mistake. While she doesn’t think much of it, the man chases her down with his car, hitting her scooter off the road and stabbing her mercilessly in revenge. Accepting her end, as Su-in lies almost lifeless on the ground, another spore falls near her and enters her body. In a unique situation, instead of killing the host human body, the parasite helps Su-in to survive and even kills the rude customer in defence.
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On the other hand, Seol Kang-woo, a local gangster is put in a difficult situation when he fails to kill a gangster boss. He escapes to his hometown, Namil City for some rest but discovers his younger sister missing and the elder sister behaving like a bizarre stranger. Trying to locate his sibling, he witnesses his elder sister and another strange man trying to recruit Su-in into their group. Revealing themselves to be parasytes hiding as humans in plain sight, the encounter makes Su-in wonder if she is human or a parasite like them.
That’s where Kang-woo comes as an ally, helping her understand what resides inside her. However, they don’t have enough time to realise everything as all the parasytes are being chased by an aggressive anti-parasite task force — led by the coldhearted Choi Jun-kyung — to annihilate every last one. Putting Su-in, Kang-woo and the lives of everyone around them in danger, they have to conspire a plan to not only survive themselves but help humankind from a massive parasitic attack.
As you get the gist of the series, it’s quite clear that the show has taken the core concept of human killing parasite attack but spun it around the modern world, set in South Korea. It also incorporates the elements of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde to show Su-in’s metamorphosis and conflicting emotions within herself. One thing that’s appreciable about Su-in’s character is how she isn’t pitiful or shown as a tortured soul or a person given up on living, and despises humankind. Despite all the trauma and struggles in her life, she has a fighting spirit to take on whatever comes her way.
That’s something new to see since usually the main lead is given a completely dark personality, who would rather destroy the world than save it. But Su-in is trying to make her life better and that’s what makes all the difference, even when an evil parasite takes over her body. Instead of turning her personality 180 degrees, it’s the parasite that starts to transform by learning the human ways and emotions. Although survival is a big reason behind it, it also shows how even enemies can come together, in dire need.
While the manga’s concept is already interesting and Parasyte: The Grey does its best in trying to adapt everything live. This is evident from the seamless special effects to bring the parasites to life and the long action sequences that are the best part of the show. But when it comes to the story, it slowly starts to fall apart. It starts as a sci-fi and transitions into a crime drama, which is somewhat confusing to watch. Cults in Korea is already a popular subject to adapt in stories but was it necessary to inculcate in the show as well?
At first, the parasites are all about eliminating the humans, since they are destroying the planet and other life forms on it. Later on, the parasites are nothing more than a wicked cult that wants to take over the supreme power and control the humans. A parasite’s mutation and change of heart is understandable but why would a parasite try to become like a human, when they despise them? Why would one parasite betray its own kind to take all the power to itself? What was the end goal, after taking over? In trying to make the story dramatic in the typical sense, the creators leave many loopholes in the story that don’t make sense.
Instead of being something unique and unpredictable, it becomes quite obvious in the later half of the episodes. Leaving no difference between Parasyte: The Grey (기생수: 더 그레이) and any other film or show about an alien invasion. Although the story development is quite lacking, the actors have shown their best with what they have at hand. Jeon So-nee as Jeong Su-in, brings out a frail yet strong character and Koo Kyo-hwan as Seol Kang-woo, packs up more punches than he did in D.P.
Personally, Lee Jung-hyun as Choi Jun-kyung is the highlight of the show. Her portrayal of a determined officer almost makes you despise her but if you think about it, she is completely right in her ways and probably the only person wanting the best for everyone. Whenever the show becomes too serious or tense, her perkiness lifts the show and makes us focus on the next thing. Overall, it’s a visually appealing show for fans of sci-fi horror, the story is lacking in many ways but if you enjoy watching human vs any evil entity type of content, then it would be one of the top recommendations.
Also, the ending was a high point, quite witty in fact, as the world of live-action and manga anime series, comes face to face or should we say – meets hand to hand (?)
Rating: 3.5/5
Parasyte: The Grey (기생수: 더 그레이) is available to watch on Netflix.
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