'There Is No Way' Surpasses Break-Even Point Even Before Release

Director Park Chan-wook's new film 〈There Is No Way〉 has reportedly surpassed the break-even point by recovering production costs solely through overseas pre-sales before its official release, setting an unprecedented record, as conveyed by Mirae Asset Securities. Analysts suggest that expectations for improved performance by CJ ENM are growing due to the expansion of global content demand in the second half of the year, the easing of regulations in the Chinese market, and the enthusiastic response at the Venice International Film Festival.

This work is based on Donald E. Westlake's novel 'The Ax' and is a black comedy and crime thriller that adapts the harsh realities of long-term unemployment and corporate cruelty to the context of Korean society. The protagonist, Yoo Man-soo (Lee Byung-hun), loses his livelihood and identity overnight due to restructuring and contemplates extreme choices, depicting how an ordinary individual gradually transforms into a monster. The star-studded cast, including Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Cha Seung-won, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran, and Yoo Yeon-seok, adds to the anticipation.

〈There Is No Way〉 premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, where 17 overseas critics from the U.S. and the U.K. rated it a perfect score of 100, achieving a fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes. The BBC praised it as "this year's 'Parasite'" while Variety acknowledged the film's quality, calling it "a masterclass in controlled chaos." Prominent critics from IndieWire and Screen Daily evaluated the film's status as a strong contender for the Academy Awards race for director Park Chan-wook.

The film goes beyond a simple thriller, satirizing the structural harshness of modern society where layoffs, precarious employment, and survival competition have become everyday realities through black comedy. The phrase "there is no way" sharply captures the moments that justify the violence of corporations and individuals, containing a social message that reflects on the realities of Korean society.