The Handmaiden
Set in 1930s Japanese-occupied Korea, Park Chan-wook’s The Handmaiden is a riveting and carnal story of a young Japanese Lady living on a secluded estate, and a Korean woman hired to serve as her new handmaiden—who is secretly involved in a con artist’s plot to swindle her employer.
The acclaimed director of Oldboy returns with his first-ever period film, a stunning crime drama set in 1930s Japanese-occupied Korea. Park Chan-wook’s The Handmaiden is a riveting and carnal story of young Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee) and Sook-Hee (Kim Tae-ri), the Korean woman hired to serve as her new handmaiden— who is secretly involved in the plot of con artist (Ha Jung-woo) to swindle Hideko. Adapting Sarah Waters’s novel Fingersmith, Park uses his distinct visual talent to transport the story from Victorian England to a ravishing estate in Korea, an exquisitely realized space blending European and Japanese architecture. Driven by outstanding performances and splendorous production design, The Handmaiden is a thrilling, erotic tale teeming with unexpected twists. A Magnolia Pictures release.
One of the year's sliest, sexiest thrillers.
—Kevin P. Sullivan, Entertainment Weekly
Luridly mesmerizing ... one comes out feeling sensually satiated.
—Maggie Lee, Variety
“Deliriously fun ... intensely pleasurable.
—Jessica Kiang, The Playlist
Sensual, erotic, and surprisingly funny
—Katie Rife, The A.V. Club
FOUR STARS ... A hugely entertaining thriller.
—Benjamin Lee, The Guardian
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