Article Contains Spoilers

Okja is ascience fiction/action film directed by Bong Joon-ho, and was released in 2017. The story is about a young girl named Mija who raises a giant piglet named Okja in the mountains of South Korea. Okja has been scientifically created as a new source of food for the people. Okja was given to Mija’s family experimentally to raise but the corporate scientists who created him never expected Mija and Okja would become best friends. 

These characters played and ran around the forest together and instantly bonded. The central conflict arises was when Okja was taken away from Mija to be slaughtered. Mija joined with a group called the Animal Liberation Front to rescue her best friend, a mission full of obstacles and set backs. Through camera movements and contrast in lighting, Bong Joon-ho creates an atmosphere of adventure and excitement.

The rescue sequences when the ALF (Animal Liberation Front) escaped with Okja was captured in series of quick camera movements and long shots. These movements enhanced the action of the scene while moving to a long shot allowed the audience to reorient and see the scene from a distance. 

In contrast, Bong Joon-ho used natural lighting throughout the film to create a calm and peaceful atmosphere, especially in scene when Okja and Mija are enjoying life together, before the drama. Once Okja is taken and Mija joins the rescue attempt the lighting changes to a high contrast. This allowed the background to remain dark and ominous while the characters were highlighted in their brave attempt to rescue.

Admittedly, I thought Okja was a little weird, but I don't usually watch science fiction movies. I did think the the characters, especially the evil and crazy scientist behind Okja's creation was interesting and unpredictable. I also thought the general message about the treatment of animals as food for humans was important. Animal lovers may have a harder time with the violence towards animals, killing of pigs and may want to avoid Okja.