No Other Choice (어쩔 수가 없다) Review: Park Chan-wook’s Darkly Cinematic Black Comedy
I was blessed enough to get a ticket for the screening of No Other Choice (어쩔 수가 없다) during the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF 2025). Many people were eager to see it, not only because it premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, but also because it is directed by the legendary Park Chan-wook.
With such hype, and my professor constantly praising Park Chan-wook since he has worked with him on multiple films, I walked into the theater with very high expectations.
Note: I am not a professional film critic. I am just someone who loves watching movies and sharing my honest opinions.
In this post, I’ll share my No Other Choice review based on my personal viewing experience at BIFF.
About No Other Choice
Title: No Other Choice (어쩔수가없다)
Running Time: 139 minutes
Main Casts:
Lee Byung-hun as You Man-soo
Son Ye-jin as Lee Miri
Park Hee-soon as Choi Seon-chul
Lee Sung-min as Gu Bummo
Yeom Hye-ran as Lee Ara
Cha Seung-won as Go Sijo
Yoo Yeon-seok as Oh Chin-ho
Plot: After years of unemployment, a desperate man comes up with a chilling solution to land a job: removing his rivals.
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: The rest of this review contains plot details.
What I love about No Other Choice
Visually Stunning and Cinematic
 |
| Photo from: SBS Star |
Every frame of No Other Choice looked really beautiful, almost like it was carefully designed. The colors, lighting, and camera movements all worked together to match the feeling of each scene. From wide shots that showed the setting to close-up shots that captured the characters’ emotions, everything felt meaningful and added to the story.
Watching it in IMAX made the experience even better because the details stood out more and made me feel part of the film. In some ways, it reminded me of Parasite, where every shot had a purpose and helped tell the story.
A Star-Studded Cast
This is definitely a star-studded film. I recognized almost all the cast members because I have seen them in other films or dramas before, which made it even more exciting to watch.
One of the biggest surprises for me was Son Ye-jin. I saw a side of her that I hadn’t seen in other works, and I couldn’t stop thinking, “Wow, she really is an amazing actress.” There were scenes that I never could have imagined her performing, and she pulled them off so naturally.
The cast also had great chemistry with each other. Even though some of the characters were very complicated or difficult, it didn’t feel like the actors were “acting.” Everything felt natural and believable, which made the story even more engaging. Watching them interact felt effortless, and it really helped me get drawn into the world of the film.
A Perfect Blend of Black Comedy
 |
| Photo from: The Korea Times |
Another reason I enjoyed this film is that it gave me inspiration for my own short film. The way Park Chan-wook explored moral ambiguity and showed how people make difficult choices really stood out to me. Watching how he handled complex characters and unexpected situations gave me new ideas for my own work. For anyone who enjoys Park Chan-wook films, or who is interested in stories that mix drama, suspense, and dark humor, this movie is a great example of his signature style.
Unexpected Ending
As I mentioned before, I am currently working on a short film, and the story of No Other Choice follows a similar theme about moral ambiguity and the difficult choices people make. However, the ending of this film was completely different from what I had imagined for my own story. I did not expect it to end the way it did, and that surprise actually made the film more memorable for me.
It was interesting to see how Park Chan-wook handled the conclusion, and it gave me a new perspective on how a story about tough decisions can be told. For anyone interested in films that explore moral dilemmas with unexpected twists, this movie is a great example.
What didn't work for me
Was there really no other choice?
 |
| Photo from: IMDB |
I think I would have understood it more if the film showed that his family was in real danger or had no way to survive, like if they didn’t even have food. Since that wasn’t clear, the reason behind his choice felt a little weak. If the motivation had been stronger or more convincing, I believe I would have enjoyed the film more and maybe even given it a higher rating.
A little too slow
Personally, I found that the pacing of the film dragged in some parts. There were several scenes that felt slow to me, and at times, it even made me feel a little sleepy. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for a film that wasn’t fast-paced.
That said, I know that other viewers might have appreciated the slower tempo, as it gave more time to focus on the details, the characters, and the atmosphere. While the pacing didn’t fully work for me, I can see why some people might enjoy it and feel that it added depth to the story.
Overall Thoughts on No Other Choice
⭐ Rating: 3/5
While No Other Choice looks amazing and has strong performances from its famous cast, the main story didn’t feel very new or exciting to me. Even so, the film is still fun to watch and worth seeing at least once, especially for fans of Park Chan-wook, Korean black comedies, or anyone who enjoys stylish and well-made films.
What really makes this movie stand out is the cinematography and the cast chemistry. Every shot is carefully made, the colors and lighting set the mood, and the camera work makes you feel like you are part of the story. The actors, including Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, and the rest of the cast, act very naturally. Even though their characters are complicated, it didn’t feel like they were acting.
I also felt very lucky to see the cast in person during their Guest Visit at the 30th Busan International Film Festival, which made the experience even more special.
In the end, while No Other Choice may not have a completely new story, it is still a beautiful film with great acting. Fans of Park Chan-wook films or Korean cinema will probably enjoy it. It is worth watching for the style, the famous cast, and the director’s signature touches.
