No Other Choice fundamentally asks the audience how far would you go to protect your family and your quality of life. That question is posed to Man-soo (Lee Byung-hun), after he is laid off from his job at a paper manufacturer following two decades of service in the midst of an ever changing economic climate. In a world where humans are rapidly being replaced by robots, particularly within manufacturing, what Man-soo believes will be a brief period of unemployment quickly spirals into a situation where his entire world is at risk.

From acclaimed writer and director Park Chan-wook alongside co-writers Don McKellar, Lee Kyoung-mi, and Lee Ja-hye, No Other Choice presents itself as a dark comedy as Man-soo attempts to beat out his competition for a new job by quite literally eliminating them by whatever means necessary. While both the premise and much of the execution largely follow what you might expect, the film truly shines in how it captures Man-soo’s humanity as he is confronted with the act of murder. Watching him wrestle with the emotional weight and moral dilemma of his actions is arguably the strongest element of the entire film, especially after the groundwork has been laid for the struggle he finds himself in.

For the most part Man-soo’s family is pushed into the background, with little development given to characters such as his wife Lee Min (Son Ye-jin). While this would be a drawback in many films, it does not significantly detract from the overall quality of No Other Choice. Even without fully fleshed out supporting characters, Man-soo’s anguish and love for his family are deeply felt, as is the pain of no longer being able to provide as the so-called man of the house. Lee Byung-hun delivers a sensational performance that makes you root for Man-soo despite the despicable nature of his schemes, and it is this performance that largely carries the film’s thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Despite a few minor grievances, No Other Choice stands out as one of the more enjoyable and surprising cinematic experiences of the year. It is a film that balances dark humour with genuine tension, making you laugh while keeping you firmly gripped by its compelling story. Well worth the watch.