Parasite in Love (Koi Suru Parasite) is a sci-fi romance that blends romance with the bizarre perfectly. The story of a young man who fears germs so much he always wears gloves, and a high school girl who fears people's gazes so much she wears sunglasses, brought together by a parasite living inside both of them. The film raises a thought-provoking question: Is love born from true feelings, or is it just an effect of the parasite?
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
Kosaka Kenko (Kento Hayashi), a 30-year-old man with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder about cleanliness and a strong fear of germs, lives a solitary life. One day, he meets Sanagi Hijiri (Nana Komatsu), a high school girl with scopophobia (fear of being stared at). She cannot make eye contact or be among people. Both are unconsciously drawn to each other, while discovering that a parasite lives in their brains, which may be the cause of these fears, or perhaps the link that brings them together in love. The story unfolds through their meetings and attempts to understand each other, amid researchers' efforts to study and eliminate the parasite.
Acting and Characters
Kento Hayashi convincingly portrays Kosaka with his constantly cautious demeanor and eyes hiding fear, yet revealing hidden tenderness. Nana Komatsu as Sanagi excels in expressing anxiety and vulnerability through body language and avoiding eye contact. Their chemistry, though strange, is heartwarming. Supporting characters like the researchers played by Arata Iura and Ryo Ishibashi add depth and tension to the story.
Direction, Cinematography, and Music
Director Kensaku Kakimoto uses a white-gray color palette to convey the cleanliness and coldness of Kosaka's world, while scenes featuring Sanagi often have warm, soft lighting. The simple musical score effectively drives emotions, especially in scenes where the pair begin to open up to each other. Close-up shots focusing on eyes and facial expressions reinforce the theme of seeing and being seen.
Editorial Analysis
Parasite in Love is not just a strange romance; it is an exploration of human relationships through the lens of parasitology. The film questions whether love arises from free will or is determined by external factors. The protagonists' fears reflect human vulnerability in trying to protect themselves from the outside world. Their gradual learning to trust each other, even unsure if the parasite is controlling them, gives the film interesting psychological depth. However, some parts may be too slow-paced, and the resolution of the parasite plot may feel insufficiently plausible to some.
Verdict
Parasite in Love is a film suitable for those who like unconventional romances with psychological depth and don't mind slow pacing. Although some points may not be perfect, the charm of the lead actors and the unique concept make it worth watching, especially if you're looking for a romance that stands out from the mainstream.
👍 Pros
- +Lead actors have great chemistry
- +Creative idea blending romance and science
- +Realistic portrayal of germophobia and scopophobia
- +Music score enhances emotions well
👎 Cons
- −Pacing is slow in some parts
- −Conclusion about the parasite may seem implausible to some
Top Cast
FAQ
It is a romantic comedy mixed with science fiction (Romance/Sci-fi), focusing on the relationship of people with extreme phobias.
The film was released in theaters in Japan in 2021. Currently, it can be watched on some streaming services like Netflix or Prime Video (may have Thai subtitles).
It is adapted from a sci-fi romance novel of the same name by Hikaru Sugii, published in 2016.
Not scary like a horror film, but it has a mysterious and thought-provoking atmosphere about brain parasites.
