The Handmaiden: Extended Edition

2017 • 168 minutes

About this movie

This is the film's extended edition. 1930s Korea, in the period of Japanese occupation, a new girl (Sook-Hee) is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress (Lady 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 elope with him, rob her of her fortune, and lock her up in a madhouse. Everything seems to be going to plan until Sookee and Lady Hideko discover some unexpected emotions.

Ratings and reviews

This has got to be one of the best films I have ever seen. The plot, acting, cinematography, music and set/wardobe design/production were all perfect. I watched this three times in one day I loved it so much, and it got even better each time, even without the element of surprise. The Japanese accents were pretty funny at times, but unless you're familiar with the language you aren't going to notice that all the actors are Korean so that won't apply in most cases. I want to see more films with plots and production as dynamic and refreshing as this one.

Cinematography is masterclass, score is sumptuous, the acting? Superb. Story and setting simply immaculate. Act One's build up plays off spectacularly. Act Two's secrets unravelling becomes a journey unlike anything else Mr.Park has concieved as Act Three gives an emphatic and satisfying ending. One of the all-time greatest films.

This was a good movie, but the story is nearly identical to the 1996 BBC movie Fingersmith which is based on the novel with the same title by Sarah Waters