South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook has finally unveiled his long-anticipated project ‘No Other Choice’ at the Venice International Film Festival. The movie, which Park has been developing for nearly 20 years, had its world premiere on August 29 in the festival’s main competition. This instantly became one of the most talked-about screenings of the year.

The film, based on Donald E. Westlake’s 1997 novel The Ax, tells the story of You Man-su, played by Lee Byung-hun, a loyal paper factory worker who is suddenly laid off after 25 years on the job. Desperate to provide for his family, he takes a chilling turn, hunting down and eliminating those he sees as his competition for scarce new jobs.

Audiences at Venice were gripped from start to finish. Even though the screening started late, the nearly two-and-a-half-hour film received a standing ovation that lasted several minutes. Critics praised both the boldness of Park’s direction and the intensity of the performances. This also feature Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Cha Seung-won, and others.

For South Korea, the moment carried extra weight. No Other Choice is the first Korean film in 13 years to compete in Venice’s top category. Park now joins a crowded field that includes heavyweight contenders from Guillermo del Toro, Yorgos Lanthimos, Kathryn Bigelow, and Noah Baumbach, all vying for this year’s Golden Lion.

Speaking about the film, Park admitted that what started as a far-off idea two decades ago now feels urgent. With AI reshaping industries and job insecurity becoming a reality for millions, he felt the story’s themes were timelier than ever.

After Venice, the film will head home to South Korea, opening the Busan International Film Festival in mid-September before arriving in local theaters on September 24.o