Review of Okja (2017) by Ben L — 06 Jul 2017

This critically-acclaimed Netflix film from Bong Joon Ho is one that didn?t work for me. The relationship between Mija and her beloved pet Okja was great, it had some strong setup and made me care about these two (although having the pig actually save her life might have been a bit much.

) Sadly, this movie isn?t content to be about the love between a girl and her pet. Instead they have to head back to civilization, and make it a movie about corporate greed and animal cruelty. I?m not sure what direction was given to the actors in this film, but it seemed every person besides Mija was trying out their latest SNL characters.

People are doing wacky voices and have over-the-top mannerisms. It feels like the story in Okja is attempting to be a serious one, but then they fill the screen with ridiculous characters. Am I supposed to be laughing at the guys who are fighting to free Okja? If the attempt is to make this a statement movie about how cruel the livestock industry can be then maybe they shouldn?t make the people in the industry, and those fighting against it, a punchline.

There was enough heart between the main character and her CGI pig that I wouldn?t consider it to be a straight-up bad movie, even the plot works. Plus I have to give them credit for nailing the CGI, because it?s pretty convincing.

However, I find everything else going on around the main character and her story to be way too distracting. I can see why people might love it, but they must be much more forgiving of the horrible acting performances (surprisingly from great actors.

).