social rivalry

His films like 'Parasite' and 'Snowpiercer' dissect class conflict and social hierarchy through darkly inventive narratives that expose the violence inherent in rivalry between social strata.

He explores interpersonal rivalry and social competition among characters navigating desire, status, and belonging, particularly in films like 'All About My Mother' and 'Volver.'

Her psychologically intense films such as 'You Were Never Really Here' and 'Nightcrawler' (collaboratively) examine competitive ambition, social alienation, and the destructive nature of rivalry in contemporary society.