More people than not have likely had to face the loss of a job. Whether it be a termination or a mass company layoff, their name just happened to be selected in favor of the bottom line — an unfortunate occurrence in a corporate world. It’s not an easy change to navigate, especially when the termination comes as a surprise. How people handle such bad news may vary, but hopefully no one ever handles it like Man-su (Lee Byung-hun) does in director Park Chan-wook’s new film “No Other Choice.”
Workplace loyalty and commitment is a virtue a lot of companies like to discuss in town halls and in rah-rah email blasts but often fumble in practice; Man-su learns this the hard way. After more than 20 years at a paper company — where he was financially successful and won awards for his work — his job is eliminated. Man-su’s life is turned upside down and he’s not sure what to make of such a drastic change to his life.
After barely getting by post-termination, an opportunity to work at a new paper company arises and Man-su would be perfect for the job. Who hasn’t gone into an interview feeling self-possessed about the outcome of the interview? The problem is, there’s always other candidates and they may interview better or their qualifications may look better on paper. Man-su knows how to eliminate the competition: start eliminating them.
Park has always been an exquisite visual storyteller and that continues in “No Other Choice.” At the beginning of the movie, Man-su seems to have it all. He’s happily married to Miri (Son Ye-jin), they have two children, dogs and a beautiful home as a result of Man-su’s success managing the paper company. Park introduces the family surrounded by vibrant and crisp greens and blues, like “No Other Choice” was ripped right out of a storybook.
“No Other Choice” is adapted from the novel “The Ax” by Donald E. Westlake with the screenplay written by Park, Lee Kyoung-mi, Don McKellar and Jahye Lee. While the story is pointed and the themes resonate, “No Other Choice” isn’t as tightly constructed as Park’s previous work. His last movie, 2022’s “Decision to Leave” was a tense, methodical detective story and 2003 revenge tale “Oldboy” remains the filmmaker’s signature masterpiece. There’s a lot to engage with in “No Other Choice,” but the movie tends to spin its wheels, go on tangents and sometimes feels looser in its pacing than most of Park’s previous efforts.
Still, in the unsettling lengths Man-su is driven to, Lee Byung-hun’s performance (nominated for a 2026 Golden Globe) encapsulates such desperation and finds a balance in the absurdist comedy and twisted thriller elements — sometimes without the help of the screenplay.
“No Other Choice” will garner a lot of comparisons to “Parasite,” but it doesn’t have the laser precision of the historical Best Picture winner. Park’s latest is undeniably entertaining, with social commentary that speaks to the heart of uncertain times — especially regarding the job market — but a tighter film could have made a stronger impact.
