Okja Review
- Nic Castillo
- Jul 5, 2017
- 3 min read
Since the first time we heard about Okja, we knew it was going to be a statement against consumerism, animal cruelty and corporate greed.
Director Bong Joon Ho [Snowpiercer] isn't new in tackling these type of complex themes and human behavior. However, this time he puts a child as the protagonist of this story, but not by herself, as he also puts a giant CGI pig in the spotlight as well.
Might contain Spoilers
If you are not familiar with Joon Ho's work, I wouldn't recommend to watch this movie if you're sensitive to graphic content, especially animal abuse, as it doesn't shy away from showing every little detail of the whole ordeal. And believe me, it gets very real, even if you're well aware is a CGI animal.
The movie opens up in 2007, with CEO Lucy Mirando [Tilda Swinton] Announcing that her company, in an attempt to change it's image, has found a super pig in Chile, that could solve the world's food shortage with minimal effect on the environment. And that after breeding it, the company plans to place 26 baby super pigs with farmers around the world, for them to raise them for 10 years. The best [as in the biggest] one will then be showcased in a pageant like event.
2017 arrives and we meet the titular Okja, in the beautiful forests of North Korea, with Mija [13-years-old, An Seo Hyun] who has raised the pig, alongside her grandfather [Byun Heebong].
Joon Ho, patiently showcases the close, best-friend like bond that Mija and Okja have, with long sequences of how they fish, eat and nap together. These scenes could be tiring in hands of any other director, but that in Joon Ho hands feels authentic and caring.
In a technical level, the pig Okja looks and moves as realistically as any dog would, she is loyal, caring and smart. And her familiarity with Mija connects also with you pretty much instantly.
Mija and Okja day goes as usual until the arrival of Dr. Johnny Wilcox [Jake Gyllenhaal] an animal TV show host and the current public relations “face” of Mirando. Wilcox is blown away and immediately realizes that Okja is the pig the company needs for their pageant like contest. Mija's grandfather tricks her into letting Okja alone for enough time to let Wilcox and co. take the giant pig away, as she is still Mirando's property.
When Mija found out she set out to find her best friend, following her to Seoul, when she crosses paths with the ALF [Animal liberation front, a real life organization] led by Jay [Paul Dano] in an incredibly choreographed chase. The rest of the ALF crew [which includes Steven Yeun, Lily Collins, Devon Bostick, and Daniel Henshall] is fantastic in their respective roles within the organization. They need Okja to be captured again, to dismantle the entire Mirando operation.
The ALF stunt, and Mija's involvement is a publicity nightmare to Mirando, but Lucy makes the decision with her executive Frank Dawson [Giancarlo Esposito] to bring Mija to America so she can be reunited with Okja in front of the cameras. Of course craziness ensues.
At the end, it's a bittersweet movie. Okja does have her happy ending, but it did have a great cost, and not only monetary. The post credit scene let's you know that the battle is yet not over, even if the movie is, and it's honestly doubful netflix or Joon Ho would even consider a sequel. Okja is still a fantastic social commentary over the consumerism and money. And will probably make you feel guilty about your diet, [even if you don't end up changing it].
The acting is fenomenal, An Seo Hyun and Paul Dano are the stand out. Gyllenhaal's character is his most flamboyant performance to date, he is despicable and yet your eyes are drawn to him every time he is on the screen. Swinton's double role is of course fantastic, and somehow you connect with at least one of her characters. There is not one actor who is not on his or her A game.
If at first the 2 hour run time can be intimidating, if you decide to watch the movie, you won't regret it.
Okja is now streaming on netflix.
Score: 4.7/5
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