The Todorov theory focuses on the disruption and repair of equality. The Todorov theory is mainly seen through arthouse stories, mainstream films rarely taking on this story structure as it is very hard to replicate to widespread effect, like its ability to be made into a sequel and so forth. The Todorov theory starts with a state of equality, where the world in the story is balanced or biased against something, the rich versus the poor for example. An event disrupts this equilibrium and sets off instability, leading to a developing narrative. The in-balance is then recognised, with the characters finding out who really is to blame for the inequality. There is then an attempt to restore or repair the instability which leads to the return to normality or, in some cases, the rise of instability. In the first case, the heroes usually end up how they began the story, maybe in a better or worse off position. In the latter’s case, the story ends on a usually tedious note.
‘Parasite’ is a 2019 South Korean film directed by Bong Joon-Ho, starring Kang-Song Ho and Choi Woo-shik. The film has heavy messages towards social class and the perception of wealth, which the Todorov theory helps to encapsulate. The film starts with the Kims, living in poverty in a semi-basement home in South Korea. This is our world of equality. We then meet the lead actor, Ki Woo’s friend Min, who is a wealthy university student. He then makes Ki Woo forge documents to fake a college degree so he can pass as a tutor for the daughter of the Park family. This is the disruption as the family has never delved into crime to get by in the world and it is breaking the divide between the rich and the poor. Through their mischievous endeavours, the Kims manage to replace every aid to the Park family and all come under their payroll. This is development of the disruption. However, the previous housekeeper returns to release her husband, held captive secretly under the house. They then connect the dots and hold the Kim family hostage, their possible imprisonment on the line. This is the recognition of the problem as they are the ones who find that the Kims are the real disruption to the Parks. The Kims then fight with the housekeeper and try to cover up their scheme by locking them in the basement the husband has been hiding in. This was an attempt to repair the disruption by trying to assert themselves as part of the Park family. However, the husband overpowers and kills the daughter of the Kim family and mentally scars the son. The father of the Kims, who killed Nathan Park, the Park’s father, over his selfishness, also goes into hiding and reclaims the basement of the Park’s home. This is the true repair of the disruption with all of the Kims being found out for their schemes and the daughter’s death and the father’s captivity. The final scene is of Ki woo planning to buy the Park’s home and releasing his father, which we never see eventuate as he is still in a semi-basement home. This is the re-instatement in a way as it shows the return to normality but the world the characters are living in have changed for the worse.
The Todorov theory is really poignant in this story as it calls to question the heartlessness of the social class system. The poor are always wanting to become a part of the rich, resorting to crime if it means they will bring them to upper class life. However, no matter how hard they try, the rich will try all they can to repair the disruption and ensure the poor stay poor and the rich stay rich.
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