The Handmaiden

2017 • 145 minutes

About this movie

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

What a fantastic movie. Genuinely keeps you on the edge of your seat and is all around a fantastic thriller . Would probably watch again even tough I know what is going to happen. Takes a bit to build the plot, but never lets the intensity slip then. Amazing!

The violence was a little much for me. But overall, this is a masterpiece. Beautifully adapted from Sarah Water's Fingersmith with twists and turns of it's own. Charming and seductive!

An enthralling masterpiece, well crafted and brutally honest. Very engrossing, if you give it your full attention you will be handsomely rewarded. A must see!