The Biggest Awards Season Snub of 2025 Is Finally a Streaming Hit
Park Chan-wook's black comedy thriller "No Other Choice", one of the most notable omissions from the 2026 Academy Awards nominations, has become a streaming success after being picked up by HBO Max. The film, starring Lee Byung-hun, follows a man who resorts to extreme measures to win back his job after being fired, blending workplace satire with the director's trademark dark, violent style. Its late arrival to streaming success highlights how strongly the film resonated with both critics and audiences despite being overlooked by Oscar voters.
The film earned a near-perfect 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and grossed $38 million at the box office against a $12 million budget, a strong return that underlines its commercial appeal. At this year's Academy Awards, Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" led the winners with six awards including Best Picture, while other films such as "Sinners", "F1" and "KPop Demon Hunters" also picked up honours, leaving "No Other Choice" without recognition despite widespread critical acclaim.
- "No Other Choice" is now a streaming hit on HBO Max
- Park Chan-wook's dark comedy was snubbed at the 2026 Oscars
- Film scored 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, grossed $38m on a $12m budget
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Park Chan-wook is a South Korean director known for stylish, violent thrillers such as "Oldboy" and "Decision to Leave". His latest film, "No Other Choice", stars Lee Byung-hun (familiar to many from "Squid Game") as a man who takes drastic action after losing his job, mixing dark comedy with satire about work and unemployment. Despite strong reviews and solid box office takings, the film was left off the shortlist for this year's Academy Awards.
The Oscars are Hollywood's most prominent film awards, and missing out on a nomination is often seen as a sign that a film has been overlooked, even if it performed well elsewhere. This year's ceremony was dominated by Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another", alongside recognition for films including "Sinners", "F1" and "KPop Demon Hunters".
Streaming platforms such as HBO Max often pick up films after their cinema run ends, giving them a second chance to reach audiences. A film finding new popularity on streaming, well after its awards season has passed, says something about the gap that can exist between what critics and voters reward and what ordinary viewers choose to watch.