Archive · 7 Jan 2026
Park Chan-Wook's Dark Comedy Thriller Premieres
Park Chan-wook, a famous director, made a new movie called No Other Choice.
It's a dark comedy and thriller based on a book called The Ax.
The movie is about a man named Yoo Man-soo who loses his job and starts doing bad things to get his old life back.
He even tries to kill people he thinks are competing with him for jobs.
The movie shows how hard it is for some people to accept that they're not successful anymore.
It premiered in Venice and won some awards.
People can watch it in the U.S. now.
No Other Choice is a dark comedy thriller directed by Park Chan-wook, based on Donald E. Westlake’s novel The Ax.
The film premiered at the 82nd Venice Film Festival and won the inaugural International People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival.
It has been selected as South Korea’s entry for the Best International Feature Film at the Oscars.
The story follows Yoo Man-soo, a laid-off factory manager who descends into moral corruption to reclaim his status.
The film explores themes of identity, masculine pride, and the struggles of unemployment.
- Who
- Director Park Chan-wook and star Byung-hun Lee
- What
- Premiere of the dark comedy thriller No Other Choice
- When
- World premiere at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, U.S. release on December 25
- Where
- Set in Busan, South Korea, premiered in Venice, released in the U.S.
- Why
- To showcase the film's unique blend of dark comedy and thriller elements, and to compete for awards
- Film Title
- No Other Choice (Eojjeolsugaeopda)
- Director
- Park Chan-wook
- Source Material
- Donald E. Westlake’s 1997 novel The Ax
- Premiere Location
- 82nd Venice Film Festival
- Awards
- Inaugural International People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival, Golden Globes nominations, Gotham Awards nomination, Critics Choice nomination
- U.S. Release Date
- December 25
- U.S. Box Office Gross
- $22.6 million
- Main Character
- Yoo Man-soo (played by Byung-hun Lee)