Oscars 2026 Shocker: Park Chan-wook’s Masterpiece Overlooked Again
Once again, Park Chan-wook’s acclaimed thriller No Other Choice was left out of the Oscar race, despite critical acclaim and high expectations. What’s behind the Academy’s ongoing snubs of one of cinema’s most celebrated directors?
For the second time in recent memory, Park Chan-wook has been left out in the cold by the Academy, with his latest film, No Other Choice, missing out on an Oscar nomination. Despite being hailed as one of the standout films of the year, the gripping thriller failed to secure a single nod, continuing a pattern that has frustrated fans and critics alike.
Thrillers have always faced an uphill battle at the Academy Awards, but the relevance and impact of this film seemed to set it apart. Many expected it to be a shoo-in for several major categories, yet it was completely overlooked. The absence of a nomination for Best International Feature, in particular, has sparked outrage among movie lovers, especially since the film has been compared favorably to Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite , which previously swept the Oscars.
Controversy and Consequences: The WGA Fallout
Some are pointing to Park Chan-wook’s recent troubles with the Writers Guild of America as a possible reason for the snub. Last year, both he and his collaborator Don McKellar were expelled from the Guild after working on HBO ’s The Sympathizer during the 2023 writers’ strike. The Guild determined they had violated strike rules by continuing their writing duties, though Park’s team insisted his involvement was limited to editing completed scripts. As a result, he was banned from participating in Guild-approved projects.
This controversy may have played a role in the Academy’s decision, given the significant overlap between WGA members and Oscar voters. With fierce competition this year, it’s not hard to imagine that the fallout from the WGA dispute could have influenced the outcome.
Deserved Recognition Denied
Park Chan-wook is no stranger to being overlooked by the Academy. His earlier works, like Oldboy and The Handmaiden, were also ignored, despite international acclaim and major festival wins. Even Decision to Leave failed to make the cut in previous years, adding to a long list of disappointments for the director.
This time, the snub feels especially egregious. No Other Choice delivers a powerful critique of late-stage capitalism, a theme that resonates deeply in today’s world. The film’s stunning cinematography by Kim Woo-hyung, which turns every frame into a work of art, deserved recognition in the Best Cinematography category. The adapted screenplay, based on Donald E. Westlake’s The Axe, is both timely and expertly crafted. Park’s direction, as well as Lee Byung-hun’s lead performance, were also worthy of Oscar consideration. Even the film’s sound design stood out as award-worthy.
A Pattern of Overlooked Excellence
Despite its critical success, No Other Choice joins a growing list of Park Chan-wook’s films that have been passed over by the Academy. The ongoing pattern raises questions about the fairness of the Oscars and whether certain genres or filmmakers are consistently undervalued. For now, fans can only hope that the director’s contributions to cinema will one day receive the recognition they deserve.
No Other Choice is currently unavailable for streaming in the United States.