Throughout the year of 2025, we have seen a large array of new films from big and small productions, well-established and new directors, and many different stories to be told. While enjoying and keeping up with all the films of the year, I did not expect “No Other Choice” to become my favorite film of 2025, but it turned into the perfect movie for the end of the year and a masterclass from South Korean director Park Chan-wook.
From films like “Oldboy” and “The Handmaiden,” Park Chan-wook has established himself as a powerhouse from the east Asian film-making, and it can be seen on the expertise while handling the piece. While leaning more strongly on black comedy, Park creates a 139-minute picture feel like a breeze, full of action, drama and surprises.
We follow our protagonist Yoo Man-su, a father, husband but most importantly, a hard worker in the paper industry. Everything from the filters of tobaccos to most of your books, Yoo Man-su knew everything about almost in an obsessive way which translates into a disaster when he is suddenly fired from his company in which he worked more than 20 years. The place that fed his family and gave him a purpose, suddenly finishing him and many of his coworkers from the industry as a change of administration occurred.
Yoo Man-su, interpreted by Lee Byung-hun, continues his obsession into this new period for him, and eliminates the competition for a position in the same industry. He goes through 3 different man who have similar resume strength as him and starts on a plan to take them out. Lee Byung-hun hits an all-time high in immersion in this character, mixing a loving father most of the times, with this maniac so involved with his job and corporations that he would commit such atrocities.
The rest of the cast, from the victims to the family, are spectacular and understand perfectly where to go with a more black comedy tone and where to go more seriously. Some of the script can go very exaggerated and almost silly, even with the bloody themes, and with a great soundtrack result in an extremely interesting and passionate work of art.
Stunning Cinematography is one of the trademarks of Park Chan-wook creating impressive sequences and shots during his long trajectory, but in “No Other Choice” he excels and perfects even more his craft. The amazing directing and wonderful visuals to accompany such a plot are a main factor on why the film feels so fresh, fun and exciting.
The themes and ideas of the film are very interesting, and much commentary about how we see corporations and our works are carried throughout the whole piece, leaving audiences not only extremely entertained but also wondering how we see the main activity that will continue to feed us and follow us throughout the rest of our lives.
“No Other Choice” is available in exclusive movie theaters around the country, and I strongly recommend it to everyone reading.
