‘No Other Choice’ Review: A Pitch-Black Comedy Aimed Squarely at Capitalism

Park Chan-wook’s short film, No Other Choice, begins with a seemingly perfect family scene: a meal shared outdoors, made possible by a gift from the father’s work. The opening is almost comically idyllic, with overly sweet cinematography showing a family of six – two parents, two children, and two dogs – enjoying a brief, beautiful moment together at the father’s childhood home, which he now owns. However, this peaceful scene foreshadows trouble: Man-su is about to lose his job, along with many of his colleagues, after years of dedication to the paper company.

I just finished watching No Other Choice, and it’s a truly harrowing film. It all kicks off when Man-su gets fired, and what follows is a devastating look at his spiral downwards. The movie really digs into the brutal world of business and the impossible pressure to compete for any job. Watching him go from a working man to someone desperately begging, forced to sell off even his kids’ belongings, and constantly battling against entitled, unethical rivals… it’s heartbreaking. Ultimately, the film explores how far a man will go when pushed to the absolute limit, and Man-su decides the only way to survive is to eliminate his competition.

I was immediately reminded of Donald E. Westlake’s The Ax while watching this film. It follows a character who systematically goes after his competition, trying to be the only one left. It’s a completely ridiculous idea, and the director, Park, really leans into the humor of it all. No Other Choice is a truly dark comedy, gleefully exploring the chaotic side of murder and how easily our sense of right and wrong can get twisted when survival is on the line.

Okay, let’s talk about the film’s incredibly dark humor. I can see how it might not land with everyone – Park Chan-wook really leans into the absurdity of even the most horrific acts. But trust me, that’s intentional. It’s not just gratuitous cruelty. The way things unfold is often so over-the-top, so ridiculous, it reminded me of a classic Looney Tunes cartoon. I’m thinking of one scene in particular – a guy held up with a mitten, then another, and another, escalating to a gun! It’s a bizarre juxtaposition, but that’s the point. The comedy isn’t separate from the tragedy; it’s woven into it. These men are all failures, stuck in situations they can’t seem to escape, and the film finds a strange, unsettling humor in their desperation.

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Park shows understanding towards the characters, recognizing they aren’t inherently bad people, even if their choices are terrible. His biggest criticism seems to be aimed at the systems – particularly capitalism – that pit people against each other. He examines Man-su’s struggles and relationships with a cynical eye, but Lee Byung-hun’s performance highlights the character’s underlying humanity. The sadness in his portrayal makes it easier to grasp why he acts the way he does, even when his actions are reprehensible.

The supporting cast of No Other Choice fully commits to the film’s dark and humorous tone, walking a fine line between comedy and tragedy. In fact, the women enduring the men’s schemes are arguably more compelling. Son Ye-jin and Yeom Hye-ran, playing the wives of Man-su and his first victim, are standouts, perfectly capturing the film’s unique blend of tones—whether they’re dealing with a venomous snake bite or burying a body.

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Park Chan-wook clearly had fun making No Other Choice. His trademark humor blends seamlessly with the film’s complex moral questions, and he isn’t afraid to find humor even in serious or romantic moments, as seen in his previous films like The Handmaiden and Decision to Leave. What’s particularly enjoyable is how his filmmaking style continues to develop, feeling more relaxed and free than before. While he’s always been known for clever editing and finding beauty in small details, here those stylistic choices feel less about emphasizing emotions or plot points and more about pure visual flair.

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“No Other Choice” is a witty and engaging film that cleverly explores how capitalism and technology often pit us against each other in a struggle for very little. While the movie touches on some bleak themes, it offers a bit of entertainment in a world that feels just as flawed as the one depicted on screen.

2025-12-24 22:20

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