Park Chan-wook doesn’t just make movies; he creates experiences that stay burned into your brain. The South Korean auteur has mastered the art of balancing elegance with shock, crafting stories that are as visually stunning as emotionally ruthless.
From cult classics like Oldboy to the intoxicating beauty of The Handmaiden and the slow-burn mystery of Decision to Leave, his filmography is a wild ride through revenge, desire, and moral chaos. Critics have celebrated his fearless approach, and Rotten Tomatoes has the receipts to prove it.
Here’s every Park Chan-wook film, ranked from worst to best by Tomatometer scores.
11. Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) – 53% Rotten Tomatoes Score
Sitting at the bottom of Park Chan-wook’s filmography with just a 53% Tomatometer score, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance is still one of the most uncompromising revenge thrillers of the 2000s.
Released in 2002, this neo-noir crime drama stars Shin Ha-kyun as Ryu, a deaf factory worker desperate to save his sister, and Song Kang-ho as a father whose tragedy pulls him into a spiral of blood-soaked retribution. Bae Doona rounds out the cast as Ryu’s radical girlfriend, adding another layer of tension to the film’s already merciless descent into chaos.
Despite being produced by Studio Box and distributed by CJ Entertainment, the movie bombed at the box office, making only $2 million worldwide. Still, it picked up major critical recognition at home, with Park winning Best Director and Best Screenplay from the Korean Association of Film Critics, alongside several technical awards.
What makes it stand out, even with that low RT score, is its raw, unfiltered intensity. Park strips vengeance down to its ugliest form, without catharsis or glamour, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker unafraid to go dark when others would flinch.
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Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance is currently streaming on Plex and Tubi.
10. Stoker (2013) – 70% Rotten Tomatoes Rating
Even in Hollywood, Park Chan-wook flexes his signature style. Stoker lands a 70% Tomatometer, a stylish psychological thriller that’s equal parts eerie and mesmerizing. Mia Wasikowska stars as India Stoker, whose life is turned upside down when her father dies and her mysterious uncle (Matthew Goode) arrives, pulling her into a dark, twisted world of secrets and obsession.
Nicole Kidman’s icy presence as her mother only amps up the tension, while Park’s direction makes every frame feel like art you can’t look away from.
Produced by Scott Free and distributed by Fox Searchlight, the film had a modest box office with $1.7 million in the U.S, but wowed critics with its visuals, haunting mood, and killer performances. Its cinematography, editing, and set design earned nods across festivals, proving Park’s Hollywood debut still had his unmistakable edge.
What sets Stoker apart is its ability to combine psychological tension with visual flair, delivering a haunting, slow-burning thriller that lingers long after the credits roll.
Stoker is currently available to rent on Apple TV+
9. Lady Vengeance (2005) – 76% Rotten Tomatoes Rating
Park Chan-wook’s Lady Vengeance lands a solid 76% Tomatometer, and it’s easy to see why this neo-noir thriller is a fan and critic favorite. Released in 2005, the film stars Lee Young-ae as Lee Geum-ja, a woman imprisoned for 13 years for a crime she didn’t commit.
When she’s finally released, she executes an intricate, stylishly orchestrated revenge plan against the real culprit and those who enabled the injustice. With Park’s signature mix of stark visuals, dark humor, and emotionally charged storytelling, Lady Vengeance balances brutality and beauty like few films can.
Produced by CJ Entertainment, the movie was a commercial success, earning roughly $23.8 million worldwide, and it racked up awards including Best Film at the 26th Blue Dragon Film Awards, along with international festival nods. Lee Young-ae’s performance is magnetic, bringing both strength and vulnerability to a character seeking justice and redemption.
What makes Lady Vengeance unforgettable is its hypnotic mix of revenge, style, and moral complexity, Park at his cinematic best, proving vengeance can be both brutal and breathtaking.
Lady Vengeance is currently available to stream on Plex and Tubi.
8. Thirst (2009) – 81% Rotten Tomatoes Rating
Park Chan-wook’s Thirst quenches the thirst for a fresh take on the vampire genre, earning an 81% Tomatometer. This 2009 gothic horror film stars Song Kang-ho as Sang-hyun, a Catholic priest who becomes a vampire after a failed medical experiment. He finds himself entangled in a forbidden affair with Tae-ju (Kim Ok-bin), the wife of his childhood friend, leading to a descent into moral ambiguity and bloodlust.
Produced by Moho Films and distributed by Focus Features in the U.S. and CJ Entertainment in South Korea, Thirst was a commercial success, grossing approximately $23.8 million worldwide. Critics praised its stylish direction, blending horror, eroticism, and dark comedy, with standout performances from the lead actors. The film won the Jury Prize at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for the Palme d’Or.
Thirst makes its impact with its unique fusion of genres, exploring themes of faith, desire, and the human condition through a vampiric lens. Park’s direction ensures a visually captivating and thought-provoking experience.
Thirst is currently available to rent on Apple TV+.
7. Oldboy (2003) – 82% Rotten Tomato Rating
Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy earns a strong 82% Tomatometer, and it’s easy to see why this 2003 neo-noir thriller has become a global cult classic. The second installment of his Vengeance Trilogy, the film stars Choi Min-sik as Oh Dae-su, a man inexplicably imprisoned in a tiny cell for 15 years.
When he’s suddenly released, he sets out on a relentless mission to uncover who locked him away and why, only to be pulled into a dark, twisted web of revenge, obsession, and shocking secrets. The film blends intense action, psychological suspense, and gut-wrenching emotional beats, highlighted by the legendary single-take hallway fight scene that redefined action choreography.
Produced by CJ Entertainment, Oldboy was a critical darling and won the Grand Prix at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, cementing Park’s international reputation. The film’s impact is also seen in its bold narrative twists, stylish cinematography, and gripping performances, particularly Choi Min-sik’s magnetic portrayal of a man consumed by vengeance.
The real power of Oldboy comes from its masterful mix of brutality, emotional depth, and shocking storytelling, making it a landmark in both Korean and global cinema.
Oldboy is currently available to rent on Apple TV+.
6. Three… Extremes (2005) – 85% Rotten Tomato Rating
Three… Extremes is a horror anthology that brings together three insanely talented directors, Park Chan-wook, Takashi Miike, and Fruit Chan, delivering three wildly different stories that stick with you long after the credits roll. The anthology earned a solid 85% Tomatometer, and Park’s segment, Cut, is an absolute standout.
A filmmaker’s life gets hijacked by a vengeful extra, pulling him into a twisted psychological nightmare. Park’s signature style is on full display with darkly stylish visuals, gut-punching tension, and an intensity that keeps you glued to the screen from start to finish.
The anthology as a whole mixes cultural flavors, inventive storytelling, and intense horror, but Park’s contribution feels like a mini cinematic rollercoaster. His segment is tightly crafted, emotionally charged, and packed with suspense, showing why he is a master of tension and visual storytelling.
The brilliance of Park’s Cut comes from how he transforms a short story into a fully immersive experience that is stylish, haunting, and impossible to forget, proving that even in under an hour he can deliver a horror classic with his signature edge.
Three… Extremes is available to rent on Apple TV+.
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5. Joint Security Area (2000) – 88% Rotten Tomatoes Score
Joint Security Area is one of Park Chan-wook’s most emotionally gripping films, scoring a solid 88% Tomatometer. Set in the tense and heavily guarded Korean Demilitarized Zone, the story kicks off after a deadly shooting incident involving soldiers from both North and South Korea.
Park dives deep into the human side of a politically charged situation, exploring friendship, loyalty, and betrayal in a way that hits harder than any action scene.
The film stars Lee Young-ae as the investigator trying to untangle conflicting accounts, while the performances from the ensemble cast bring raw emotion and tension to every frame. Park’s direction balances mystery and emotion with precision, showing he can build suspense without needing bombastic visuals.
The brilliance of the Joint Security Area lies in its quiet intensity and emotional resonance. It proves that Park can take a politically complex story and turn it into a gripping, heartfelt, and unforgettable cinematic experience that lingers long after the screen goes dark.
Joint Security Area is currently available to rent on Apple TV+.
4. I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK (2006) – 92% Rotten Tomatoes Score
Park Chan-wook flips the script with I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK, scoring a solid 92% Tomatometer. This 2006 surreal rom-com takes place in a quirky mental hospital where Young-goon (Im Soo-jung) believes she’s a cyborg and Il-soon (Rain) thinks he can steal souls. Their oddball connection unfolds in a world full of eccentric patients, blending absurdity, heart, and dark humor in a way only Park can pull off.
Produced by CJ Entertainment, the film had a modest box office in South Korea, pulling in around $4.1 million, and saw limited international release. Despite its initial drop in theaters, it earned recognition at the Berlin International Film Festival with the Alfred Bauer Prize and snagged nominations at the Blue Dragon and Asian Film Awards.
The brilliance of I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK lies in how Park turns whimsy into art. It’s a visually inventive, emotionally charged story that proves he’s not just a master of revenge thrillers but a genius at crafting offbeat, unforgettable love stories with a surreal twist.
I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK is now available for streaming on Apple TV+.
3. Decision to Leave (2022) – 94% Rotten Tomatoes
Park Chan-wook proves yet again why he’s one of the masters of tension, style, and storytelling with Decision to Leave, scoring a stellar 94% Tomatometer. This 2022 neo-noir romantic thriller follows detective Hae-joon (Park Hae-il) as he investigates a mysterious death on a mountain.
His path crosses with Seo-rae (Tang Wei), the widow at the center of the case, and what starts as a routine investigation spirals into a dizzying mix of obsession, desire, and moral ambiguity. Every frame oozes Park’s signature visual flair, from meticulously composed shots to atmospheric tension that keeps you glued to the screen.
Produced by Moho Film and distributed by CJ Entertainment and MUBI, Decision to Leave pulled in over $21 million worldwide and became MUBI’s most-streamed film in North America. The movie also earned Park the Best Director award at Cannes 2022 and was shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars, cementing its critical acclaim and global reach.
What makes Decision to Leave so magnetic is its flawless blend of slow-burning thriller, psychological intrigue, and emotional depth. Park Chan-wook balances suspense, romance, and moral complexity while delivering unforgettable performances from Park Hae-il and Tang Wei. It’s a cinematic experience that lingers, thrilling and haunting in equal measure, and proves why Park is still at the top of his game.
Decision to Leave is currently streaming on Hulu.
2. The Handmaiden (2016) – 96% Rotten Tomatoes Score
Park Chan-wook slays with The Handmaiden, a 2016 erotic thriller that’s as visually stunning as it is twisted, scoring a killer 96% Tomatometer. Set in 1930s Korea under Japanese rule, the film follows Sook-hee (Kim Tae-ri), a pickpocket turned handmaiden, hired to help a conman swindle the wealthy Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee).
But as the layers of deception, desire, and betrayal unfold, this story flips every expectation and keeps you guessing until the very last frame.
Produced by Moho Film and distributed by Amazon Studios in the U.S., the film raked in over $37 million worldwide. It premiered at Cannes 2016, earning the Vulcan Award for Technical Artist, and snagged multiple accolades at the Blue Dragon and Asian Film Awards. It also made history as the first Korean film nominated for a BAFTA in the Best Film Not in the English Language category.
What makes The Handmaiden unmissable is its perfect mix of suspense, eroticism, and jaw-dropping cinematography. Every twist hits hard, every performance pops, and Park Chan-wook proves he can take a story about deception, power, and forbidden love and turn it into a cinematic rollercoaster you’ll never forget. This is not just a movie, it’s an experience.
The Handmaiden is available to stream on Prime Video.
1. No Other Choice (2025) – 100% Rotten Tomatoes Score
Park Chan-wook is back with a bang in No Other Choice, a darkly comic thriller already crushing it with a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. This biting satire skewers the dehumanizing grind of modern work life and the wild lengths one will go to protect their family.
Fresh off his iconic stint as the Front Man in Squid Game, Lee Byung-hun takes the lead as Yoo Man-su, a middle-aged paper industry veteran who loses his job and dives headfirst into chaos to secure his family’s future.
Son Ye-jin plays Mi-ri, his wife, bringing heart and emotional depth to the sharp, twisted story. The supporting cast is stacked, with Park Hee-soon as Choi Seon-chul, Lee Sung-min as Gu Bummo, Yeom Hye-ran as Lee Ara, and Cha Seung-won as Go Sijo, all delivering performances that hit just right.
The film splashed at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, earning rave reviews and a Golden Lion nomination. It also smashed South Korean box office records, attracting 331,518 viewers on opening day.
Already out in South Korea since September 24, 2025, No Other Choice is gearing up for a U.S. release on December 25, 2025. Park Chan-wook proves once again why he’s a master of stylish, chaotic, and unforgettable cinema—this ride is dark, hilarious, and absolutely unmissable.
From gritty revenge thrillers to stylish psychological dramas, Park Chan-wook’s films continue to push boundaries and captivate audiences worldwide. Which of his movies is your favorite? Drop your pick in the comments below!
