Film Review - No Other Choice
Images courtesy of Madman Entertainment.
No Other Choice, directed by Park Chan-wook (Oldboy, Decision to Leave), is another sharp entry in the filmmaker’s body of work, showcasing his distinctive visual style and darkly comedic sensibility. The film follows Yoo Man-soo, a paper mill worker who has been a loyal employee for more than 25 years. He enjoys a luxurious lifestyle with his wife, children, and dogs. But all that changes when his company is acquired by new owners and he, along with many long-time coworkers, is abruptly laid off. Faced with the prospect of losing the lifestyle he has built for his family, Man-soo is forced to confront an uncertain future.
Rather than retraining or seeking work in a different field, Man-soo becomes fixated on returning to the paper industry, which he believes has always provided for him. As his desperation grows, he devises a plan to murder the man who holds the job he wants. Realising there will be stiff competition for the position, he escalates his scheme into an increasingly elaborate but clumsily executed attempt to eliminate all rival candidates, ensuring he will be the only viable choice left.
What makes the screenplay work is that, despite its bleak premise, much of the film is played for laughs. At its core, No Other Choice is about a middle-aged paper worker attempting to become an assassin, and the absurdity of that contrast fuels much of the humour. The dark comedy recalls elements of Park’s earlier work, particularly Oldboy, and shares narrative similarities with this year’s One Battle After Another, with a protagonist who repeatedly stumbles his way toward success. The cast fully commits to the material, delivering the humour with a straight-faced seriousness and dry wit that enhances the film’s tone.
Another standout element is the cinematography. The film makes striking use of colour to heighten the mood of scenes, alongside several memorable visual compositions. One particularly notable scene features characters passing an iPad back and forth while the camera remains fixed behind them, allowing the audience to see their reflections without ever revealing the camera itself. Moments like this add to the personality of the film and are entirely consistent with Chan-wook’s directing style, which he is known for.
No Other Choice is absolutely a must-see in cinemas and will set a high bar for the 2026 year ahead for film from one of South Korea’s most influential directors Park Chan-wook.
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No Other Choice is screening in cinemas from Thursday the 15th of January. For tickets and more info, click here.