Ranking The Films Of Bong Joon-ho From Worst To Best
5. Okja
After a global food company genetically engineer a 'super pig' that will be ready for mass production after 10 years, they give her to a Korean farmer to raise during that time. Okja grows up with young Mija, and the two form a close and unbreakable bond.
Okja's messages and themes hit heavy and the film is incredibly effective in getting across the points it wishes to make. After the company come to claim Okja, Mija must join forces with eccentric members of the Animal Liberation Front to free her before it's too late.
Bong had already gained experience in directing a large CGI creature on set with The Host, so the super pig Okja moves seamlessly and is brought to life with a convincing authenticity.
The emotional core of the film is strong and the narrative can get particularly harrowing at times. If any film is capable of turning a meat eater into a vegetarian then this would be it. Okja manages to avoid being preachy but is still incredibly resonant.
Okja also features a performance from Jake Gyllenhaal which, depending on your mileage, is either terrible or a masterpiece. He does not hold back in the slightest.