Guillermo del Toro Oscar endorsement is generating buzz ahead of the Academy Awards, with the celebrated director voicing public support for the Korean thriller No Other Choice just weeks before the Oscar nominations. Del Toro, whose recent adaptation of Frankenstein garnered recognition at the Golden Globes, urged audiences and fellow Academy members to pay attention to Park Chan-wook’s acclaimed new film.
Del Toro Endorses Korean Thriller Ahead of Oscar Nominations
Guillermo del Toro, known for his work on acclaimed films like Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth, Pacific Rim, and The Shape of Water, recently praised No Other Choice on social media, calling it one of his top three favorite movies from director Park Chan-wook. In a direct appeal to viewers and the film community, he wrote, “Seek it please!” Del Toro’s prominent status as both an Academy member and a multi-award-winning filmmaker adds significant weight to his Oscar endorsement.
Korean Film Boasts High Critical Acclaim and Notable Cast
No Other Choice stars Lee Byung-hun in the role of Yoo Man-soo, an unemployed man prepared to go to great lengths for a job opportunity. The ensemble cast includes Son Ye-jin as Lee Mi-ri, along with Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran, Cha Seung-won, and Yoo Yeon-seok. The film has made a significant critical impact, earning a 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes—a figure that surpasses del Toro’s own Frankenstein by 13%.
Reactions from Recent Award Shows and Film Festivals
At this year’s Golden Globe Awards, No Other Choice was nominated in three major categories: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Actor – Musical or Comedy for Lee Byung-hun, and Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language. However, these categories were ultimately won by One Battle After Another, Timothée Chalamet (for his role as Marty Supreme), and The Secret Agent respectively. Earlier, the film also secured nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Foreign Language Film at the Critics’ Choice Awards but did not take home either prize. Its presence at prominent events such as the Toronto International Film Festival, Newport Beach Film Festival, and Stockholm International Film Festival has reinforced its reputation within the international film circuit.
Oscar Shortlist and Upcoming Announcements
The Academy Awards, scheduled for March 15, are entering the critical nomination voting phase, and del Toro’s support arrives at a pivotal time. As an Academy member, his visible endorsement of No Other Choice might influence how other voters perceive the film, particularly with only fifteen features on the International Feature Film shortlist. This list includes contenders like Belén (Argentina), The Secret Agent (Brazil), It Was Just an Accident (France), Sound of Falling (Germany), Homebound (India), The President’s Cake (Iraq), Kokuho (Japan), All That’s Left of You (Jordan), Sentimental Value (Norway), Palestine 36 (Palestine), Sirât (Spain), Late Shift (Switzerland), Left-Handed Girl (Taiwan), and The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia), alongside Park Chan-wook’s entry.
Only five films will advance to secure a nomination once the Academy’s results are announced on January 22. Last year, Park’s previous film Decision to Leave made it onto the Oscar shortlist but did not earn a final nomination.
Anticipation Builds as Del Toro Waits for the Final Outcome
With less than two weeks left until the nomination announcement, all eyes are on whether No Other Choice will make it to the final list. If the film earns a nod, Guillermo del Toro is expected to celebrate the recognition on social media, underscoring how influential endorsements from major directors can shape award season narratives. The coming weeks will reveal if del Toro’s influence and the film’s strong reception can sway the outcome at the Oscars.
In my opinion top 3 Park Chan-wook. Seek it please! https://t.co/5xBeK84E4f
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) January 12, 2026
