Parasyte: The Grey, which premiered on Netflix on April 5, has garnered a fair deal of attention with its inherently intense narrative. The series is a live-action adaptation of the late 80s Japanese manga Parasyte, written by Hitoshi Iwaaki.
The Korean show stars Jeon So-nee in the lead role along with Koo Kyo-hwan, Lee Jung-hyun, and Kwon Hae-hyo. It is directed by Yeon Sang-ho, best known for his work on Train to Busan. Given the director’s impressive body of work, it had the potential to be a winner. So, did Parasyte: The Grey live up to these expectations?
Parasyte: The Grey is about the conflict between humans and unidentified parasitic life forms that survive through human hosts. The show is a thriller where humans try to finish off these alien-like creatures. The parasites, on the other hand, disguise themselves and consume humans to survive. This sets the stage for a series of twists and turns.
Fans of the original manga and its 24-episode anime adaptation may be left with mixed feelings after binging the six-episode K-drama. While it is thrilling to watch, the show’s short runtime hampers the development of the main character Jeong Su-in (So-nee). Her inner turmoil isn’t fleshed out properly till halfway into the series. While the actress does a good enough job of bringing some depth, it is a little late to make the viewers connect with the protagonist on an emotional level.
Moreover, the series plays out like a thriller. This may not go down well with the anime’s fans as it was profound enough to resonate with the audience.
Action is an integral part of the show. However, the quick cuts in some of the action scenes in the first few episodes are difficult to follow.
That said, Parasyte: The Grey has its merits. Every actor delivered a great performance. One of the standout characters is Choi Jun-kyeong (Lee Jung-hyun). She has a dynamic and fun personality but a sad backstory that gives her the most depth and offers the viewer a much-needed fresh perspective. Seol Kang-woo (Koo Kyo-hwan) and Kim Cheol-min (Kwon Hae-hyo) also have intriguing subplots.
There is also a sense of mystery about what these strange creatures are capable of. This makes them horrifying which is another positive aspect that elevates the show.
Parasyte: The Grey has tremendous potential but proves to be a mixed bag when all is said and done. It also caters more to those not familiar with the anime or the manga.