Okja Review: 6 Ups & 3 Downs

4. It's Totally Hilarious

Though it has a serious core, make no mistake that Okja is an incredibly funny film. Functioning overall as a satire of bureaucracy run amok, activism and the fickle nature of business PR, there's some deliciously smart mockery here, taking corporate culture to task in particular, but also not being afraid to throw shade at the other, "benevolent" side of the equation.

There's also a decent dose of unexpected toilet humour, coming by way of the title character, who goes to the bathroom not once but twice before the end credits roll. If nothing else, it's proof that poop jokes don't need to evoke groans and sighs: they can feel organic and tasteful with the right approach (though there's probably a better way to word that).

That the more base comedy coalesces perfectly with Joon-ho's smarter humour is a testament to his excellent ability to meld disparate tones. Speaking of which...