Park Chan-wook, the celebrated South Korean director behind such iconic films as Oldboy and The Handmaiden, is set to return to the big screen this fall with his much-anticipated new film, No Other Choice (also known as No Way Out in some English-language coverage). The film, which has already drawn significant buzz as an official competition selection at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival and the opening film for the 30th Busan International Film Festival, will make its Korean theatrical debut on September 24, 2025, distributed by CJ ENM.
On August 21, the Korea Media Rating Board (KMRB) announced its decision to rate No Other Choice as suitable for audiences aged 15 and older. The board’s explanation, as reported by SBS Entertainment News, noted that the film “satirically portrays human desire and moral collapse and includes criminal behavior, but it does not glamorize or justify crime or violence.” While the film features sexual language and a brief sex scene, neither is sustained. Scenes of violence—including threatening and killing with a gun, striking people with objects, and other instances of injury, murder, or bodily harm—are presented with an exaggerated black comedy sensibility rather than graphic realism. The KMRB also highlighted that while adults are depicted drinking and smoking, and there is a scene involving a teen smoking, drug and alcohol use is not encouraged or justified. Profanity, they noted, remains within socially acceptable bounds.
Crucially, the KMRB found that elements such as unlawful home invasion, juvenile delinquency, and the desecration or concealment of a corpse are depicted without any concrete instructional detail that might invite imitation. The board concluded that “all factors were considered except fear/horror,” and the film’s content did not rise to a level that would bar teen viewers. This 15+ rating is seen as a major commercial advantage, as it broadens the potential audience to include not only adults and couples but also families, especially during the lucrative Chuseok holiday corridor in late September, which can last up to 10 days.
The film’s final cut runs 138 minutes and 44 seconds, and it follows Mansoo (Lee Byung-hun), an office worker who is abruptly laid off from his long-held job at a paper company. Desperate to protect his wife Miri (Son Ye-jin), their two children, and the home they struggled to buy, Mansoo embarks on a relentless and increasingly desperate quest to find new employment. The story, adapted from Donald E. Westlake’s American novel The Ax, is described as a crime thriller that blends family drama and fierce competition, reflecting broader social anxieties about job insecurity in Korea.
The main trailer, recently released to much fanfare, opens with a tense job interview scene. Mansoo’s anxiety is palpable as detectives inform him that two other applicants have gone missing. In a moment that encapsulates the film’s darkly comic tone, Mansoo quips, “If I disappear, I’ll let you know right away.” The tagline “Four people, one position” flashes on screen, signaling the desperate rivalry that awaits. Alongside Lee Byung-hun, the film features a star-studded cast including Son Ye-jin, Lee Sung-min as Beommo, Cha Seung-won as Sijo, Park Hee-soon as Seonchul, and Yum Hye-ran as Ara. Intense physical confrontations among these characters, including a particularly brutal fight involving Mansoo, Beommo, and Ara, highlight the high-stakes battle for survival at the heart of the narrative.
At a recent press event, Son Ye-jin revealed how her personal experiences shaped her portrayal of Miri. “This was my first project after giving birth. It helped me. I think the real-life experience is incomparable to anything else, and my appearance with the child felt natural. […] It’s the image of a positive mother who wants to take responsibility for her family. So it was easy to immerse myself in the role.” Lee Byung-hun echoed this sense of collaboration, noting, “The chemistry on set was so good that it felt like the scenes ended too quickly, making me feel sad that it was over.” He added, “I had only seen Ye-jin’s works before, and this was the first time we collaborated. She performed with such detail, even more than I had imagined for [her character, Lee Miri].”
Director Park Chan-wook’s reputation for meticulous direction, innovative mise-en-scène, and a knack for blending black comedy with social critique is on full display in No Other Choice. The film’s realistic narrative of an ordinary man’s downfall and struggle is designed to evoke deep empathy, while its sharp commentary on the labor market and individual dignity resonates with contemporary audiences facing similar uncertainties. According to Cineplay, the film “raises questions about the fierce labor market and individual dignity,” while Dispatch describes it as a “crime thriller blending family drama and fierce competition, reflecting social anxieties about job insecurity in Korea.”
Alongside the film’s creative achievements, Park Chan-wook has recently found himself in the headlines for reasons beyond the silver screen. On August 22, during a press conference for No Other Choice with actors Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin, Park addressed the controversy surrounding his expulsion from the Writers Guild of America (WGA). Park and his co-writer Don McKellar were removed from the union for allegedly working on the HBO series The Sympathizer during the 2023 WGA strike. Park, however, declined to elaborate further, stating, “I have nothing more to say now. As a screenwriter, my creativity is not restricted by anything.”
In response to the controversy, Park’s company Moho Film clarified that the scripts for The Sympathizer had been completed and the show shot before the strike began in early May 2023. “Editing does not constitute writing, so it was permitted under WGA regulations,” the company asserted. The Sympathizer, which earned Robert Downey Jr. an Emmy nomination, follows a North Vietnamese double agent in Southern California before the fall of Saigon.
As the release date approaches, anticipation for No Other Choice continues to build. The film’s 15+ rating, festival accolades, and star power position it as a major contender at the box office, especially during the Chuseok holiday season. With Neon securing North American rights, international audiences are also eagerly awaiting news of a US release date. For now, fans can catch the film’s world premiere at Venice on August 29, followed by its high-profile opening at Busan on September 17, before it lands in Korean theaters on September 24.
With its blend of black comedy, social commentary, and gripping drama, No Other Choice looks poised to leave a lasting mark on both critics and audiences—and perhaps spark a few debates along the way.
