'No Other Choice' Review: Park Chan-wook Turns Corporate Desperation into Killer Satire
- Jack Ransom
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
By Jack Ransom - January 28, 2026
The 10th film from Korean auteur filmmaker Park Chan-wook. No Other Choice sees a desperate man (Lee Byung-hun) go to extreme lengths to eliminate the competition for the job he wants after being abruptly laid off after 25 years at the same company.
Was surprised that this didn’t make an impact in the Academy Awards nominations at all this year (even more so now having seen it), with zero nominations despite receiving critical acclaim and Chan-wook being a thoroughly well established and influential director. 2022’s Decision to Leave was a stylish slow-burn thriller, Oldboy is a legendary piece of revenge cinema, backed by the excellent Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance & Lady Vengeance.
Out of his filmography so far this is certainly the most comedic joint that I have seen. The film dances between killer crime caper and biting satire and slapstick comedy near perfectly. Starting off with a slower burn first act to establish Man-su’s (Byung-hun) and Miri’s (Son Ye-jin) family life and relationship, the film emphasises Man’s dedication and pride in his role, as well as his instant toppling weakness once he loses it and Miri’s swift, caring, realistic damage control comes into play.
It’s masterfully woven between the domestic goings on at home, as the children begin to act out and question their situation, as their father becomes more distant and driven by his new ‘mission’, as he sees his family as being “at war”. The way his plans are executed are simultaneously elaborate and gloriously bumbling. After a precise, methodical and calculated preparation sequence, the first couple of attempts to dispatch the targets are fumbled, hysterical disasters: from snakebites (had me nearly in tears), tripping over, guns accidentally going off, an intense and hilarious scrap backed with blaring music… these sequences boast tension and humour in perfect harmony.
When it comes to the direction and stylistic choices, this is pretty much flawless. Chan-wook is a master of the craft and this very much builds upon his reflection heavy, screen focused cinematography choices seen in No Other Choice. The framing of some of the shots here are gorgeous and electric to see on the IMAX, with a myriad of locales on display. The film flows effectively and efficiently with the gliding, panning camera movements, striking scene transitions and cross-cutting (particularly during a poignant final third sequence) to piece together its twisty, biting tale. The score and soundtrack also stands out, with needle drops used to great effect (particularly Red Pepper Dragonfly, and I wasn’t expecting to hear Hold On, I’m Comin’).
Lee Byung-hun gives one of (if not) his career best performance here (for those that haven’t, check out I Saw the Devil as well). His descent into this goal and state of mind he has set himself is frighteningly tangible and obsessive, yet he also is clearly still racked with guilt, fear and lack of experience. His portrayal of being wounded from his tumble from the corporate hierarchy and embittered loss of being ‘the man of the house’ is stellar. Son Ye-jin’s contrasting good spirited, loyal, no-nonsense, yet caring approach is a grounded contrast and the pair have excellent chemistry. Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran and Kim Hyung-mook also deliver notable supporting performances.
No Other Choice is a bitingly funny, poignant, sharp, shocking blend of desperation, satire, irony alongside a killer (pun intended) crime thriller hook. It is one of the best looking films I have seen in recent memory, the performances are excellent and the creativity sparks from the screenplay. The final third can feel a tad overstretched but that doesn’t hinder the rest of the film’s impact.
'No Other Choice' is out now in UK cinemas.
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