Parayste: The Grey
(Netflix)

Parasyte: The Grey  🧬 기생수: 더 그레이

From the mind that brought us the hit zombie movie Train to Busan (2016) and one of my favorite Korean series, Hellbound (2021), comes the first-ever live-action adaptation of Hitoshi Iwaakis’s popular manga/anime series, reimagined in Parasyte: The Grey.

This Netflix series reimagines the source material into a sci-fi horror story set in modern-day Korea as parasitic creatures begin to infiltrate the minds of the unknowing public with the goal of evolving the existence of their species through the human population.

One parasite accidentally ends up creating a Jekyll and Hyde-type situation with its host, Jeong Su-in, who, while on the verge of death, ends up mutating between her human self and her new-found protector.

This causes plenty of issues for her, as she must evade the police task force trying to ward off the parasites and avoid the parasites who are trying to usher in a new era for their species.

I’ve been recommended the Parasyte anime series more times than I can count, and I’ve stopped and started it a few times, never being able to get past the fourth or fifth episode.

That was not the case with this. I couldn’t binge it fast enough.

Writer/Director Yeon Sang-ho does a tremendous job of visually capturing the disturbing nature of these parasites in what can only be described as nightmare fuel while immersing viewers in a story that digs into what truly makes us human, which in this case is connection.

This only works because of the effective way in which they were able to creatively utilize CGI in adapting these uniquely designed creatures. That was my biggest worry going into this; the parasites have such dynamic movement, especially in their fight scenes, but after the first episode, you’ll realize right away that they made sure no stone was left unturned in the design process.

The emotional throughline of the story is solid enough, with Jeong Su-in being abandoned through life just to connect with someone (or something) that won’t let her go, but the world-building and the supporting characters motivations are what kept me curious and engaged.

This is equal parts Terminator and A Quiet Place because it’s simply a ruthless onslaught against humanity. It may not reach the heights of those movies, but the feeling is much of the same.

For fans of the manga or anime series, there is an INCREDIBLE tie-in to the original series that felt like an Avengers-level post-credit scene. Like I said earlier, I wasn’t a fan of the anime, but after this, I might have to go back and try again.

Parasyte: The Grey is a wonderful way to rejuvenate an already respected series, removing any inkling of an anime live-action curse by awesomely expanding lore to the point audiences will be left begging for more. 

Enjoy!

7.9/10 🍿 🎥

Runtime: 50mins
Episodes: 6
Where: Now Streaming on Netflix

Parayste: The Grey Review (2024) The Richmond Reviewer -  April 4th, 2024.
기생수: 더 그레이 Review (2024)

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