Parasite is poised to be the biggest foreign film of 2019.
Variety reports that the Korean-language comedy is set to earn $10 million at the North American box office, making itthe market's highest-earning foreign film of the year. Reaching the $10 million mark will push it past the Spanish-language comedy No Manches Frida 2, which earned $9.27 million domestically. Parasite has generated $7.53 million in the U.S. and Canada since it opened Oct. 11.It'salso earned $102 million in foreign markets.
Parasite has amassed immense interest since it won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Festival. Critics also believe Parasite could be one of the rare foreign-language films to win multiple Academy Awards. Senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian believes the film's critical and commercial appeal is driven by the way its distribution company handled its roll-out.
"Parasite has been riding a wave of interest since its debut. Neon’s slow rollout was perfectly orchestrated from day one and this has paid big dividends for the film," Dergarabedian said to Variety. "Parasite is one of the most interesting (and unpredictable) films of the year and has become one of the must-see films of the season."
Variety describes the film as a "scathing social critique" that follows class discrimination and greed. Parasite was written and directed by Bong Joon-ho and is his highest-grossing release.
