The Handmaiden
Chris's take
An intricate and seductive masterclass in visual storytelling. The viewer is sucked into an atmosphere that is both beautiful and oppressive, with the film exploring the juxtaposition of tender romance and ruthless manipulation, backed by an all round showcase in filmmaking.
Director
Park Chan-wook
Cast
Kim Min-hee
Lady Hideko
Kim Tae-ri
Sook-hee
Ha Jung-woo
Count Fujiwara
Cho Jin-woong
Uncle Kouzuki
Kim Hae-sook
Ms. Sasaki
Moon So-ri
Hideko's Aunt
Lee Yong-nyeo
Bok-soon
Kwak Eun-jin
Kkeut-dan
Plot overview
1930s Korea, in the period of Japanese occupation, a new girl, Sook-hee, is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress, Hideko, who lives a secluded life on a large countryside estate with her domineering Uncle Kouzuki. But the maid has a secret. She is a pickpocket recruited by a swindler posing as a Japanese Count to help him seduce the Lady to steal her fortune.