EP 171: No Other Choice (2025)

No Other Choice is directed by Park Chan-wook. Based on The Ax by Donald Westlake, the film stars Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, and Woo Seung Kim. The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on 29 August 2025. 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. The film is described as follows, after being unemployed for several years, a man devises a unique plan to secure a new job: eliminate his competition.

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Chapter Timestamps:

• 0:03:32 Initial Thoughts
• 0:12:57 Spoiler Review
• 1:40:36 Oscars Assessment
• 1:50:12 Final Ratings

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Danny Jarabek
Gabe Lillianthal

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Credits:

• Theme music by Eugene Rocco Utley
• Artwork by Danny Jarabek
• Edited by Danny Jarabek