NOT another streaming Movie - No Other Choice/어쩔수가없다

Back to the movies! After a pile of TV catch ups, let's get back to the big screen. NOT another streaming Movie is my 2026 series of all the cinema I take in, in 2026.

Next up, No Other Choice (Korean: 어쩔수가없다). The South Korean satirical black comedy thriller film co-written, produced, and directed by Park Chan-wook. 

Based on The Ax by Donald Westlake, the film stars Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran, & Cha Seung-won. 

It is the second film adaptation of the novel, after the 2005 French-language feature The Axe directed by Costa-Gavras, to whom No Other Choice is dedicated in the closing credits.

No Other Choice follows a desperate paper industry expert who decides to kill off his competition to be assured of the job he seeks to maintain his way of life.

The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on 29 August 2025, where it garnered critical acclaim. 

At the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, it was nominated for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Foreign Language Film and Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Lee Byung-hun). 

It was also selected as the South Korean entry for the Best International Feature Film category for the 98th Academy Awards, making the December shortlist.

No Other Choice had its domestic premiere as the opening film of the 30th Busan International Film Festival on 17 September, followed by its theatrical release in South Korea on 24 September by CJ Entertainment.

As I near the end of my Squid Game journey, it was good seeing Lee Byung-hun in another role.

This showed South Korea really delivers some sensational, original and thought provoking cinema.

Loved by critics, winning and nominated for loads of awards, the Friday evening (last night) session I saw was near full. Yes it was a smaller cinema, however people are wanting an alternative to Avatar or whatever the other Western blockbuster is screening right now.

With some quirky lines, some interesting themes explored, this was an interesting Friday watch.

Whilst it won't be everyone's cup of tea, I enjoyed this. 3 Stars. Stay safe Sydney, from last weeks heatwave on Saturday, to a stormy Saturday WTF climate change!