NO OTHER CHOICE

No Other Choice (2025)

Directed by: Park Chan-wook

Since the movie follows the journey of the lead character, you can’t help but question his every incompetent action. You convince yourself he has no other choice, but clearly, it’s the last resort.

His thought process are both literal and figurative, resulting to an uneven pacing. Most people around him seem to have a sound mind, except for him. No matter the motivation, he is taking things too far. But then, the movie can easily get away with it by being a satire and by inserting underlying themes.

In order to prove a point, they would forcibly execute some acts— even if unnecessary and illogical to the situation. Ironically, they also love beating around the bush—just to create a cinematic experience that gets exhausting at some point.

While the message at the end makes a good and thought-provoking summary, the ride getting there gets bombarded with henious crimes, human fragility, and male ego. All these elements are more dominant and consistent, leaving the ending message at hindsight.

A harsher truth is that regardless of capitalism, competition, or artificial intelligence, some men will always blame others for their own incompetence. Similar to how this movie blames satire for all its atrocities.

Like it or not, the movie has opened doors to relevant discussions. For being creative in showing some issues, it leaves one with no other choice but to appreciate the movie.

𝑵𝑶 𝑶𝑻𝑯𝑬𝑹 𝑪𝑯𝑶𝑰𝑪𝑬

Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Kim Woo-seung, Choi So-yul, Yeom Hye-ran

Screenplay by: Park Chan-wook, Don McKellar, Lee Kyoung-mi, Lee Ja-hye

Presented by: CJ ENM Studios, Moho Film, KG Productions

Release Date: October 29, 2025 in Philippine cinemas nationwide (distributed by CreaZion Studios)

A Movie Review by: Goldwin Reviews