Park Chan-Wook’s ‘No Other Choice’ wins TIFF 2025 International People’s Choice Award

The satirical thriller, starring Lee Byung-hun as Man-soo, was one of TIFF’s Gala Presentations and quickly drew international attention. The award, presented by Rogers, is considered a key bellwether for the awards season, often signaling potential Oscar contenders.

Park Chan-wook receiving the award. Photo: TIFF YouTube

Accepting the honour, Park said: “I believe this is a story that must be seen, and I hope to continue greeting audiences with films that you will have no other choice but to watch. I humbly accept this not just as recognition for myself, but as a reflection of the growth and achievements of Korean culture worldwide.”

A Satirical Take on Capitalism

Set in South Korea, No Other Choice follows Man-soo, a loyal employee who loses his job after 25 years at a paper company. Struggling with mortgage payments and desperation, he hatches a darkly comic plan—posing as a recruiter to track down and eliminate rivals competing for the same scarce positions.

With Son Ye-jin as Mi-ri, his supportive wife, the film oscillates between biting social commentary and absurd humour, as Man-soo insists he has “no other choice” but to commit ruthless acts to secure employment.

Script and Direction

The screenplay was co-written by Park Chan-wook, Lee Kyoung-mi, Jahye Lee, and Toronto’s Don McKellar. Critics praised the film’s sharp direction, layered symbolism, and its blend of satire and thriller, calling it a timely commentary on workplace politics, unemployment, and status anxiety.

The narrative shifts as Mi-ri intervenes to correct Man-soo’s misguided efforts, grounding the story in themes of family and resilience.

Dedication and Legacy

Park dedicated the film to veteran filmmaker Costa-Gavras, who originally held the rights to Westlake’s novel and collaborated with Park during early development, when the project was envisioned as an English-language remake.

Critics have lauded No Other Choice as both a compelling story and a reflection of contemporary economic struggles, cementing Park’s reputation as one of the most incisive voices in global cinema.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)