Blood, laughter, and desperation collide in Park Chan Wook’s No Other Choice. This explosive dark comedy will open the 30th Busan International Film Festival on September 17, 2025, marking the legendary director’s return to Korean screens. Three years after Decision to Leave, he delivers a story nearly twenty years in the making. It is a haunting mix of survival and humor, and it has already become one of the most talked-about Korean films of 2025.
Watch the Trailer: https://youtu.be/W4R9YiarBss
A Festival Highlight with a Personal Touch
Festival director Jung Hanseok praised No Other Choice as a film that could “bring new life to Korean cinema.” Adding star power to the excitement, lead actor Lee Byung Hun will also host the opening ceremony, blending prestige and glamour in one unforgettable event.
A Story Rooted in Desperation and Satire
Inspired by Donald E. Westlake’s 1997 novel ‘The Ax’, No Other Choice‘ reshapes its dark satire for today’s world of uncertainty. The film follows Man-su (played by Squid Game star Lee Byung Hun), a longtime paper company worker who loses his job after 25 years. Desperate to provide for his family, he hatches a horrifying plan: posting a fake job ad to lure job seekers, only to eliminate the competitors one by one.
Park Chan Wook has called this a story decades in the making, one that feels more relevant than ever in an age of AI, automation, and fears of job insecurity. Terrifyingly real, right?
A Star-Studded Ensemble Anchoring the Dark Humor
No Other Choice brings together some of South Korea’s most celebrated actors, each adding weight to the film’s unsettling blend of satire and survival.
Lee Byung-Hun
He is one of Korea’s most acclaimed actors, known internationally for his work in Squid Game as well as Hollywood films like G.I. Joe and Red 2. He also voices Gwi-Ma, the ancient demon king in Netflix’s animated musical K-Pop Demon Hunters.
In No Other Choice, he takes the lead as Man-su, a desperate father fighting to protect both his family and his dignity.
Son Ye-Jin
She is one of Korea’s most beloved actresses, best known worldwide for her leading roles in Crash Landing on You and Something in the Rain.
In No Other Choice, she plays Miri, a devoted wife struggling to hold her family together as their world spirals into chaos.
The supporting cast includes Park Hee Soon, Lee Sung Min, Yeom Hye Ran, and Cha Seung Won, all bringing their trademark intensity to the screen.
Park Chan Wook’s influence was so strong that many of these stars joined the film even before reading the script. Absolute king!
Accolades, Buzz, and Critical Acclaim
No Other Choice premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 29, 2025, where it earned a nine-minute standing ovation, a Golden Lion nomination, and glowing international reviews.
The Guardian hailed it as a “sensational state-of-the-nation satire,” while The Washington Post called it “the most buzzed-about entry” at Venice, celebrating its perfect 100 percent Rotten Tomatoes score. Critics praised Park Chan Wook for blending biting humor with raw emotion, making Man-su’s downfall both darkly funny and painfully real. A masterstroke of modern cinema!
Themes that Hit Close to Home
Beneath its satire, No Other Choice digs into modern fears:
Economic insecurity and automation — Man-su’s fight against being replaced mirrors modern fears of losing jobs to AI and unstable markets.
Toxic masculinity and family strain — His breakdown reveals hidden cracks at home, showing how despair changes relationships.
Capitalism under pressure — The phrase “no other choice,” used for both layoffs and murder, becomes a chilling symbol of survival in a broken system.
Violence as spectacle — Park mixes slapstick killings with dreamlike images, showing how comedy and horror blend in a world where humanity feels disposable.
What Lies Ahead: Release and Festival Journey
No Other Choice has already begun its global journey.
World premiere — Venice, August 29, 2025
Asian premiere — Busan International Film Festival, September 17, 2025
Korean release — Nationwide, September 24, 2025
International rollout — Toronto, New York, Vancouver, BFI London, and more
With over 200 territories pre-sold (surpassing Decision to Leave’s 192), Park’s film is already set to dominate the global stage.
Conclusion
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