“No Other Choice” is a new Korean film directed by Park Chan-wook. The movie blends dark comedy and suspense, focusing on how job loss can push a man to his limits.
The original Korean title is “어쩔수가없다” (Eojjeol Suga Eopda), which also means “Hopeless” or “Nothing Else Can Be Done”.
No Other Choice – Movie Synopsis
Man-su, a seasoned expert in the paper industry, has spent 25 years building a stable, happy life with his wife Mi-ri and their children. But when he’s suddenly laid off from his long-term job, the foundations of his world begin to crack. With mounting pressure to provide and keep his home, Man-su spirals into a cycle of failed job interviews, humiliations, and financial strain. His last hope is the rival firm, Moon Paper—but when he’s belittled and rejected there, his desperation hardens into a wild plan: eliminate his competition and become the only candidate left for the job. As Man-su awkwardly navigates the world of amateur murder plots and comic blunders, the film sharply examines the lengths a person might go to for his family and dignity.
Watch the trailer for No Other Choice
The film has received strong praise at international festivals, earning attention for both Park Chan-wook’s direction and Lee Byung-hun’s standout performance as Man-su. The movie mixes satire with thriller elements, offering sharp social commentary on unemployment and personal desperation in modern Korea.
Credits
Title: No Other Choice (Korean: 어쩔수가없다
Director: Park Chan-wook
Writers: Park Chan-wook, Don McKellar, Lee Kyoung-mi, Lee Ja-hye
Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran, Cha Seung-won, Yoo Yeon-seok.
Release Details: Venice Film Festival: August 29, 2025; South Korea: September 24, 2025; US Release: December 25, 2025
Runtime: 139 minutes.
Where to watch No Other Choice (2025)
