NEON celebrated the Los Angeles premiere of “No Other Choice” on December 9, 2025, with a screening and after party at the David Geffen Theater at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The event marked a key stop on the film’s awards-season journey, drawing an industry-heavy crowd eager to see Park Chan-wook’s latest feature on the big screen.
Writer-director Park Chan-wook and star Lee Byung Hun were in attendance, greeting guests ahead of the screening. The premiere also drew a notable mix of filmmakers and artists, including Julie Delpy, Paul Feig, Daniel Scheinert, Hideo Kojima, Tatiana Maslany, Omar Benson Miller, Michael Angelo Covino, Kyle Marvin, and more, underscoring the film’s broad creative appeal across disciplines.
Directed by Park Chan-wook and adapted from Donald E. Westlake’s novel “The Ax,” “No Other Choice” follows Man-su, a longtime paper company employee whose life unravels after he is abruptly laid off following 25 years of service. Played by Lee Byung Hun, Man-su’s desperate search for a new job becomes a darkly comic and increasingly unsettling exploration of identity, pride, and survival in a system that offers little mercy to the obsolete NOC_PressNotes.
The film also stars Son Yejin as Man-su’s wife Miri, alongside an ensemble that includes Park Hee Soon, Lee Sung Min, Yeom Hye Ran, and Cha Seung Won. Running 139 minutes, the film blends Park’s precise visual control with a sharpened sense of irony, leaning more fully into dark comedy than many of his previous works.
Since its debut, “No Other Choice” has emerged as a major player on the awards circuit. The film is a Golden Globe nominee for Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy; Best Actor, Musical or Comedy for Lee Byung Hun; and Best Motion Picture, Non-English Language. Additional nominations include Best Adapted Screenplay from the Critics Choice Awards, Gotham Awards, and Astra Film Awards, as well as Best International Feature recognition across multiple groups. The film has already claimed audience awards at both the Savannah Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, signaling strong reception beyond critics’ circles.
“No Other Choice” opens in theaters later this season from NEON. Additional photos from the Los Angeles premiere and after party can be found below.