The Handmaiden

Released Oct 21, 2016

2h 24m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

Romance

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The Handmaiden: Trailer 1

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96%

Tomatometer

225 Reviews

91%

Audience Score

10,000+ Ratings

With help from an orphaned pickpocket (Kim Tae-ri), a Korean con man (Ha Jung-woo) devises an elaborate plot to seduce and bilk a Japanese woman (Kim Min-hee) out of her inheritance.

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Critics Consensus

The Handmaiden uses a Victorian crime novel as the loose inspiration for another visually sumptuous and absorbingly idiosyncratic outing from director Park Chan-wook.

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Li Sian Goh

Bitch Media

The drama combines the sumptuous art direction and black humor of Park's past work with a warmth and compassion that feeds the soul.

Feb 11, 2021

Full Review

Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

The Blue Lenses

Once again Park finds himself immersed in a world of woman-driven intrigue, and like Stoker before it The Handmaiden is concerned with the power dynamics between women in what are contextually configured as sexually transgressive scenarios.

Aug 25, 2018

Full Review

K. Austin Collins

The Ringer

The Handmaiden is exemplary proof of Park's mastery, a high point from a director known for his purposeful aesthetic care, even in matters of overwrought sexual melodrama.

Aug 10, 2017

Full Review

Demitra Kampakis

Vague Visages

Park demonstrates how the complicated relationship between role-play, desire, secrecy, power and revenge prove ripe for darkly comic (and perverse) fodder.

Dec 12, 2023

Full Review

Guillem Martinez Oya

Cinematismo

Beautiful images in the frame with a grotesc story about the survival in a context war. You have to watch it. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Aug 31, 2022

Full Review

Merryn Johns

Curve

It’s a beautiful film of quality and cleverness.

May 19, 2022

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Loltokyou Y

Incroyable film, très beau esthétiquement. Mais incroyable, surtout dans sa façon de nous accompagner, presque en nous tenant la main. Dans les méandres des nombreuses problématiques de la Corée sous l'occupation japonaise. Mais pas que, puisque je trouve que son message est encore d'une très grande actualité.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/14/24

Full Review

Hargie M

I found myself ensnared in a mesmerizing dance of deception and desire. With every twist and turn, I was drawn deeper into the labyrinthine web of secrets and motives that propelled the characters forward, eagerly unraveling the layers of subterfuge alongside them. Yet, amidst the gripping suspense and masterful storytelling, it was the exploration of love in its myriad forms that resonated most deeply with me. The blossoming relationship between Sook-hee and Lady Hideko unfolded with exquisite tenderness and raw emotion, each moment laden with the weight of societal expectations and the yearning for connection.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/25/24

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Lucero D

CINE SEÑORES VERDADERO CINE

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/27/24

Full Review

Seemenow

Mind blowing plot twist one after another. The visual representation, cinematography, the setting everything about this movie is a masterpiece. The best film ever made. Two actresses I'm speechless their performance.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/24

Full Review

David C

This is easily one of the greatest films ever made. The shots were superb. Highly elevated erotic thriller with plenty of twists you can't see coming. Chan wook cements himself as one of the greatest living directors.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Good twist! Sex scenes were really well done

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/09/24

Full Review

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Park Chan-wook

Director

Kim Min-hee

Lady Hideko

Kim Tae-ri

Sook-Hee

Ha Jung-woo

Count Fujiwara

Cho Jin-woong

Uncle Kouzuki

Kim Hae-sook

Butler

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The Handmaiden: Trailer 1

1:04

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Synopsis

With help from an orphaned pickpocket (Kim Tae-ri), a Korean con man (Ha Jung-woo) devises an elaborate plot to seduce and bilk a Japanese woman (Kim Min-hee) out of her inheritance.

Director: Park Chan-wook
Producer: Park Chan-wook, Syd Lim
Screenwriter: Jeong Seo-kyeong
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures, Amazon Studios
Production Co: Moho Film, CJ Entertainment, Yong Film
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama, Romance
Original Language: Korean
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 21, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 30, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.0M
Runtime: 2h 24m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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