Stanisland Magazine

New Park Chan-wook movie is a satirical portrait of a violent option

Celebrated South Korean director Park Chan-wook is back with a new movie, No Other Choice. A fresh trailer has dropped featuring heavy feats of screenplay and emotion.

No Other Choice’s Plot is Killer. Literally

Based on The Ax, a novel by writer Donald Westlake, it follows Man-Soo, who is sacked by his employer and takes matters into his own hands. His strategy? Eliminate the competition using lethal means in order to secure re-employment into the company.

Cast and Production Details

Chan-wook is known for cult favourite and global sensation, Oldboy, and similarly, the plot of his latest film charts a similar course.

It stars Lee Byung‑hun as Man-Soo, taking the lead with first role alongside wook since 2000’s Joint Security Area.

Son Ye‑jin, Lee Sung‑min, Park Hee‑soon, Yeom Hye‑ran, Cha Seung‑won, and Yoo Yeon‑seok join him as supporting characters.

Global Release

No Other Choice is set to release globally in theatres and will be distributed by Neon Pictures in Europe and the United States.

It will premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, between the 27th August to 6th September 2025.

The film is slated for a Korean release in September, with is expected to screen worldwide in autumn (fall).