The Handmaiden (2016)

Movie Info :

From PARK Chan-wook, the celebrated director of OLDBOY, LADY VENGEANCE, THIRST and STOKER, comes a ravishing new crime drama inspired by the novel 'FINGERSMITH' by British author Sarah Waters. Having transposed the story to 1930s-era colonial Korea and Japan, Park presents a gripping and sensual tale of a young Japanese Lady living on a secluded estate, and a Korean woman who is hired to serve as her new handmaiden, but who is secretly involved in a conman's plot to defraud her of her large inheritance. Powered by remarkable performances from KIM Min-hee (RIGHT NOW, WRONG THEN) as Lady Hideko, HA Jung-woo (THE CHASER) as the conman who calls himself the Count and sensational debut actress KIM Tae-ri as the maid Sookee, THE HANDMAIDEN borrows the most dynamic elements of its source material and combines it with PARK Chan-wook's singular vision and energy to create an unforgettable viewing experience.

Critics Rating and Audience Score :

Tomatometer

95%

Flixter Score

91%

IMDB

8.1

My Review :

Provocative, perverse, breathtaking. Chan-Wook Park's deceitful drama is about beauty, sexuality, power and above all honesty. A brilliantly crafted cinematic drama, Park's period piece not only excels in its intricate tri-partite narrative but in its decadent and erotic cinematography. Guided along by spell-binding performances by Tae Rae Kim and Min-hee Kim, the Handmaiden seeks at both critiquing and reinforcing it's protagonists each depiction a cautionary tale of lust, pride, greed and envy. Truly an international masterpiece the film's themes of honesty, fidelity and dominance only grow stronger as the narrative spirals further into complex duplicity. While many will know Park from his breakout 'Oldboy', 'The Handmaiden's' intricate plot, sumptuous acting and decadent cinematography makes this Park's Magnus Opus