Park Chan-wook No Other Choice: Lee Byung-hun Stars in September 2025 Venice Film
Director Park Chan-wook and actor Lee Byung-hun are reuniting after two decades for "No Other Choice," a black comedy thriller set for September 2025 release. CJ ENM confirmed the film's completion and unveiled the first poster and teaser trailer on July 22.
The film follows Man-soo (Lee Byung-hun), a paper company employee fired after 25 years who becomes desperate in his job search and decides to eliminate his competition. Son Ye-jin plays his wife Mi-ri, marking her return to cinema after focusing on family life following her marriage to Hyun Bin.
The supporting cast includes Park Hee-soon as team leader Choi Seon-chul, Lee Sung-min as fellow job-seeker Beom-mo, Yeom Hye-ran as Beom-mo's wife Ara, Cha Seung-won as rival Si-jo, and Yoo Yeon-seok as Jin-ho.
Based on Donald Westlake's 1997 novel "The Ax," the story was previously adapted as the French film "Le Couperet" (2005). Filming took place from August 2024 to January 2025, lasting five months. The screenplay was adapted by Park Chan-wook, Lee Kyung-mi, and Lee Ja-hye.
The debut poster features an intricate illustrated design showing the characters positioned around blooming crape myrtle trees. Man-soo stands determinedly before his house while other scenes show him dancing happily with Mi-ri, creating a stark visual contrast that hints at his life's dramatic transformation.
The teaser trailer opens with Man-soo's memorable line about Korean vs. American firing terminology, building tension through rapid cuts and character glimpses that suggest the dark comedy's tone.
The film will have its world premiere in competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, where it's nominated for the Golden Lion. This marks Park Chan-wook's return to Venice after 20 years since "Lady Vengeance."
Neon acquired North American distribution rights, while MUBI secured UK, Ireland, Latin America, Spain, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, and Benelux territories.
This reunion comes over 20 years after Park Chan-wook and Lee Byung-hun collaborated on "JSA: Joint Security Area" (2000) and "Three... Extremes" (2004). For Park, it's his first feature since "Decision to Leave" (2022), though he recently co-directed HBO's "The Sympathizer."
For Son Ye-jin, this marks her first theatrical film since "The Negotiation" (2018), following successful TV projects "Crash Landing on You" and "Thirty-Nine."
"No Other Choice" represents Park Chan-wook's return to the dark comedy genre, combining his signature visual style with a timely story about economic desperation and corporate downsizing. The film promises to deliver the director's trademark blend of stunning cinematography, complex characters, and biting social commentary.
The September 2025 Korean release follows the Venice premiere, positioning the film as a major contender in the international festival circuit and a significant entry in Park Chan-wook's acclaimed filmography.
