The distinct cinematic voice of Park Chan-wook, a director known for his precise and often unsettling films such as Oldboy and The Handmaiden, is poised to return to screens. His latest work, No Other Choice, has released its first trailer, offering a glimpse into what promises to be a darkly comic thriller. The film is an adaptation of Donald Westlake’s 1997 novel The Axe.
The premise, transplanted to contemporary South Korea, follows Man Soo, portrayed by Lee Byung-hun, a familiar face from I Saw the Devil and Squid Game. Man Soo is a mild-mannered manager who finds himself abruptly fired from his job at a paper merchant. Facing unemployment, he resorts to extreme measures to secure an advantage over potential rivals in the job market. This entails a plan to eliminate his competition, literally.
The novel The Ax was previously adapted by Costa-Gavras in 2005 as The Axe. Park Chan-wook reportedly began planning his own adaptation four years later, though the project took a considerably longer time to realize. In the interim, Park achieved further international success with films like Lady Vengeance and Decision to Leave.
A Bleak, Tense Vision
Park finally began shooting No Other Choice last year. The film is expected to make its premiere at the Venice Film Festival this autumn, positioning it as a contender for next year’s awards season.
Boutique studio Neon recently acquired the film’s U.S. rights, while Mubi secured distribution for several other territories. Although currently listed as “coming soon,” the film is likely only months away from its public debut.
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The teaser trailer hints at the film’s tone: bleak, tense, and meticulously framed. It offers fragmented, intriguing shots that suggest Park’s characteristic approach to a dark psychological journey.
