As I’ve written previously, class-conscious cinema has seen a significant uptick in recent years. The late 2010s saw films about wealth disparity and societal inequality reach mainstream success, including movies such as Joker, Knives Out and most famously Parasite. Following in that tradition comes, No Other Choice, co-written and directed by legendary Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook. The picture follows Man-su (Lee Byung-hun), a worker at a paper factory who is laid off after his employer is acquired by an American firm. Desperate for work after months of unemployment, and being forced to give up his family’s two dogs to save on costs, Man-su devises a plan. In order to score a job at another paper company, he must eliminate all other potential applicants. What unfolds is a darkly comedic rampage that provides tense moments as well as biting social commentary.
His sense of inadequacy, frustration and emasculation are palpable
The film is carried by a series of strong performances, most notably Lee Byung-hun as Man-su, who provides a complete portrait of a man both scorned and desperate. We find ourselves totally immersed in his headspace and empathising greatly with his motives. His sense of inadequacy, frustration and emasculation are palpable. It’s hard not to want him to get over his moral quandaries, hurry up and kill his three rivals. This is the film’s core strength.
There is a great narrative richness, both in the plot’s actual mechanics as well as thematic depth. It also balances its dark humour with its tense sequences. It is easy to see how these two elements could derail the piece, yet the story never loses itself in either direction. This gives a great sense of fun and mischief, and allows the audience to feel like co-conspirators in Man-su’s plan.
If the film has one weakness it is that it drags a little in the second act.
We are also given a full picture of his home life and his relationship with his family. In particular, his connection with his wife Miri (Son Ye-jin) which strains as the film progresses. Not only due to his unemployment, but also because of her growing suspicion about his murder spree. Both the sweet and difficult elements of their relationship are depicted, further emphasising his desperation to get the job and keep his family together. If the film has one weakness it is that it drags a little in the second act. Whilst quick to establish its core premise, it struggles a little to find its groove when it gets on to the murders. However, this could be intentional, to replicate Man-su’s initial incompetence when it comes to carrying out his kills. It is definitely the kind of movie you want to watch multiple times in order to get the full picture. In conclusion, No Other Choice is an easy recommend: a smart thriller that balances comedy and tension masterfully.
“Lee Byung-hun at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival” by Desmond Herzfelder is licensed under CC BY 4.0