We all have dreams. Sometimes, when we work hard, we’re able to make our dream come true. But what if that dream, once achieved, is threatened? How far would you go to protect that dream for yourself and your family?

That’s one of the hard questions asked in No Other Choice, a new film from director Park Chan-wook. The film opens in limited release on Christmas Day and figures to be a player in the Oscar field. It tells a quirky and engaging story of a man who feels pushed to the brink as he tries to protect the idyllic life he’s created for his family.

In the film we meet Man-su (Lee Byung-hun). He is a dedicated family man living with his wife, two kids, and two dogs. They live in his family home, which he’s worked tirelessly to restore and refurbish to provide his family with a comfortable life. They are at peace and seem to have it all. And it’s all possible thanks to his long career at the same paper company, where he’s risen to the rank of manager.

But all that comes crashing down as his company is acquired and he’s made redundant. Along with other workers, he’s cut loose. Now, Man-su has to find a way to continue to provide for his family. But he’s sure he’ll land another good position in now time. Flash-forward months later, and he’s still looking for a permanent position. He’s working menial odd jobs, but it doesn’t bring in the amount needed to maintain his lifestyle. Even his wife, Miri (Son Ye-jin), has gone back to work. She’s also moved to help the family tighten their belts, but Man-su sees the life he’s built slipping away.

He’s desperate as he applies for a new position. He’s also looking for a way to ensure he’s the top target. So, in desperation, he begins targeting the other candidates and taking them off the board. But will he accomplish his plan—and land a new position—before it’s too late?

This is an engaging and different kind of film. It’s based on the Donald Westlake novel The Ax. This was a long-gestating project from Park, who began work on the script more than a decade ago. In the meantime, he’s delivered a number of high-profile projects like the excellent 2022 film Decision to Leave and the HBO mini-series The Sympathizer.

In this film, he does a great job of bringing the narrative to life. It’s a somewhat dark story, but there is a level of humor and, at times, whimsy to the way the story is constructed. All that works to build something that’s engaging and entertaining, taking twists you don’t expect along the way.

He finds a great collaborator in Lee, who does an excellent job in the role as Man-su. He brings a lot to the role, carrying some difficult sequences to create an engaging character you can’t help but root for despite what he’s doing. All of it ends up being compelling in a film that’s one of the more unique to arrive in 2025.

The film has already earned recognition from Critics’ associations and the Golden Globes, and I suspect it will be a player for the Academy Awards as well. If you’ve been a fan of Park’s work in the past, this is worth checking out.

No Other Choice opens in limited release on Christmas Day.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.