Oscar Submission: South Korea
Adapting the 1997 novel “The Ax” by Donald E. Westlake, filmmaker Park Chan-wook creates another compelling blend of high style, suspense, and satire, reminiscent of his previous classics “Oldboy”, “The Handmaiden”, and “Decision to Leave”.
After dedicating the best years of his life to a paper mill, Man-su (played by “Squid Game” star Lee Byung-hun) is laid off. Facing the prospect of losing everything and competing in a saturated job market, Man-su devises a clever plan to secure the position he believes he deserves. He decides to invent a fictitious paper company, invites his colleagues to a meeting, and systematically eliminates his rivals one by one.
