Can Park Chan-wook’s 'No Other Choice' succeed without Venice win?
Actor Lee Byung-hun in a scene from director Park Chan-wook’s film “No Other Choice” / Courtesy of CJ ENM
Despite missing out on the Golden Lion at this year’s Venice International Film Festival, celebrated director Park Chan-wook's new film, "No Other Choice," is poised for box office success in Korea, fueled by widespread critical acclaim and a high number of presale tickets that signal a promising start to its theatrical run.
Just over two weeks before its domestic premiere, "No Other Choice" has already claimed the top spot in the presale ticket race, surpassing the blockbuster Japanese animation "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba — Infinity Castle,” which has been dominating the local box office.
As of Monday afternoon, Park's film topped the presale ticket chart, recording a 29 percent reservation rate with over 103,906 tickets sold, according to data by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC). This kind of early traction is rare in Korea’s current box office climate, signaling growing anticipation for Park’s first film since "Decision to Leave" (2022).
The film's momentum was fueled by its selection for the competition section at the Venice Film Festival, a significant step for Korean cinema after a 13-year absence. While it was widely seen as a frontrunner for the top honor, the award ultimately went to director Jim Jarmusch's "Father Mother Sister Brother."
Nevertheless, Park's film received near-unanimous critical acclaim from global media outlets. Variety hailed it as conclusive proof that Park is "the most elegant filmmaker alive." The Guardian called it a "sensational state-of-the-nation satire" on the breakdown of the family, masculinity and capitalism.
Based on the novel "The Axe" by American author Donald E. Westlake, "No Other Choice" is a black comedy that tells the story of an average family man, Man-soo (Lee Byung-hun), who is suddenly laid off. He then embarks on a desperate fight to find a new job.
Actors Son Ye-jin, left, and Lee Byung-hun in a scene from director Park Chan-wook’s film “No Other Choice” / Courtesy of CJ ENM
The film's release on Sept. 24 is strategically timed to coincide with a special government initiative to boost cinema attendance. The government previously distributed 4.5 million movie ticket discount vouchers in July. Starting this Monday, an additional 1.88 million remaining vouchers for a 6,000 won ($4.31) discount will be distributed. These vouchers can be used at all major theaters.
The opening day of "No Other Choice" falls on the last Wednesday of the month, which is also "Culture Day" in Korea, offering an additional 50 percent discount on movie tickets. With these two discounts combined, audiences may be able to see the film for as little as 1,000 won.
For now, the film faces relatively little pressure to succeed at the box office. Its investor and distributor, CJ ENM, announced that the movie has already recouped its entire production budget of 17 billion won ($12.2 million) through overseas pre-sales, a feat made possible by the film's positive reception at the Venice Film International Festival.
While CJ ENM has not disclosed the exact number of countries where the film has been sold, Park's previous film was sold to 192 countries.
However, the broader Korean film industry is pinning high hopes on "No Other Choice" as it is in urgent need of a commercial breakthrough. The highest-grossing film in the Korean box office this year, "My Daughter Is a Zombie," has drawn just 5.5 million viewers — a far cry from last year’s megahit "Exhuma." With no comparable box office juggernauts in sight, the domestic market continues to struggle with a prolonged slump.