Okja (2017)

User Review

• 

  BarneyNuttall

  9 / 10

  Okja is a wonderful film that begins as an adventure film and morphs into a full-blown nightmare. Ho's typical critical view of capitalism is addressed through the meat industry, never pulling its punches in revealing the horror behind our favourite meaty snacks.
  
  Furthermore, Ho manages to avoid a limited argument by criticising both sides. The humorous pacifist ALF whose belief in never being violent is deeply flawed and hypocritical: they are far from saints. Yet, in comparison to the detestable Mirando corporation, headed by a frazzled Tilda Swinton and a sickening Jake Gyllenhaal (sickening doesn't even begin to cover it), ALF are a godsend. Mirando begin as a satire of the capitalist company but slowly peel away the comedic facade to reveal a system plagued by greed and scorn. In fact, a rather literal change-of-role symbolises this.
  
  The film is directed with vitality, with action that leaves you breathless and moments of stillness, exposing the true horror at play. Ho is a master of tone, seamlessly stitching together the film with anime-like adventures and realistic wounds. Okja just proves, yet again, that Ho is a master of his craft, able to produce a film that is entertaining, poignant and extremely personal.

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