Review of Okja (2017) by Jacob D — 14 Sep 2017

I enjoyed this Netflix exclusive movie. Bong Joon Ho is a unique director and after the success of Snowpiercer (2013) this was a nice follow up. The film definitely has a message about the way we treat the meat we eat and how we distance ourselves from imagining how its made, how animals are treated and the works.

There's an overlying message about greed, corporations and money here as well. Anywho, the film is about a young girl named MIja (Seo-Hyun Ahn) who has been taking care of a super pig named Okja along with her grandfather in South Korea.

10 years prior the Mirando Corporation started a competition where they sent the pigs to 27 unique farmers to see who could raise the best one. One day the once popular TV host Johnny Wilcox (Jake Gyllenhaal) arrives with members of the Mirando Corp and they take Okja away.

Mija is very close to Okja and what happens next is her journey across Korea and to the United States to bring back her beloved Super Pig. The film also stars Tilda Swinton as Lucy and Nancy Mirando. She perfect for this role since she plays a villain so damn well.

Paul Dano and Steven Yeun also star as a group of activists that are trying to save Okja. Overall, it's a sad film that does instill some kind of thought about the meat industry. It's a film that does a good job showing the love someone has for an animal and how far she'll go to bring back what is her best friend.

My only gripe with the movie is that I wish it had a better middle. At times the plot seems to waiver a bit especially after Mija is captured by the Miranda Corp and stages a fake "reunion." Overall, solid little drama here that I recommend checking out!