Academy Awards Snub Park Chan-wook Again Despite Critical Acclaim
The celebrated Korean filmmaker faces another Oscar disappointment as his latest thriller gets completely shut out of nominations, raising questions about Academy voting patterns and industry politics.
The Academy Awards have delivered another crushing blow to Park Chan-wook's Oscar hopes. His latest film "No Other Choice" received zero nominations despite widespread critical praise and awards season buzz. The snub feels particularly harsh given the movie's stellar reviews and cultural relevance.
Critics called it one of 2025's finest films. The thriller earned a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and scored 7.6 on IMDb. Yet Academy voters completely ignored it across all categories, including Best International Feature Film where it seemed like a lock.
Pattern of Academy Rejection
This marks another chapter in Chan-wook's troubled relationship with Oscar voters. "Oldboy" got snubbed despite winning Cannes' Grand Prix. "The Handmaiden" received no recognition whatsoever. "Decision to Leave" failed to land any nominations.
The pattern suggests deeper issues beyond simple oversight. Chan-wook's expulsion from the Writers Guild of America last year may have influenced voting. He and co-creator Don McKellar were kicked out for allegedly working during the 2023 writers' strike on HBO's "The Sympathizer."
Guild Controversy Impact
The WGA found both writers guilty of strike violations. Chan-wook's team argued the scripts were finished and he only did editing work. The Guild disagreed and banned him from future projects.
Academy voters and WGA members overlap significantly. This connection could explain why "No Other Choice" got completely shut out. The film deserved consideration in multiple categories including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Missed Opportunities
Kim Woo-hyung's cinematography created visual poetry in every frame. The adaptation of Donald E. Westlake's "The Axe" brilliantly captured modern economic anxiety. Lee Byung-hun delivered a powerhouse performance worthy of Best Actor consideration.
The movie's themes about capitalism's human cost felt perfectly timed. Sound design also merited recognition. Instead, voters ignored a masterpiece that stands alongside "Parasite" in quality and social commentary.
Chan-wook's Oscar drought continues despite his massive influence on cinema. The Academy's blind spot for his work remains one of the awards' most glaring oversights.