The Handmaiden- Storyline and Short Review

The Handmaiden is a 2016 English-language South Korean drama film written and directed by Park Chan-wook. The film stars Kim Min-hee, Ha Jung-woo, Lee Byung-hun, and Kim Tae-ri. It tells the story of a young woman who becomes an accomplice to her governess after she witnesses her brutal murder at the hands of her employer.

This article will show you the storyline of this movie and discuss about it. As well as this beautifully picturized movie’s gained short and famous reviews will also be portrayed here. So this is for them who loves watching films and also loved this beautiful masterpiece.

• Genre: Romance/ Drama
• Runtime: 2h 14m
• Release Year: 2016
• IMDB Rating: 8.1
• Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
• Box Office: 38 million USD

The Storyline of the Movie- The Handmaiden 2016

The story of is set in Japan during the 1910s. A young woman named Lady Hideko has been taken from her family and placed in the service of a wealthy aristocrat, Mr. Kim. Lady Hideko quickly learns that she is expected to serve as Kim’s lover and handmaiden alike, and must be prepared to do anything he asks.

Despite being treated like a servant, Hideko enjoys her time with Kim; however, she grows increasingly resentful of his sexual advances towards her and eventually leaves him for good. Years later, Hideko returns to Tokyo after years abroad and re-opens her former salon. She hires a young girl named Kumiko as her handmaiden, but Kumiko has other plans…

The Handmaiden is an original and well-written story set in Imperial Japan during the1920’s.

The Handmaiden is set in Japan during the years 1907 and 1918. It tells the story of a young woman, Lady Sook-hee (Kim Novak), who is kidnapped by a rogue Japanese general, Fujiwara (Yugo Ishikawa). The general plans to sell her as a handmaiden to one of his powerful friends in Europe. Lady Sook-hee must elude her captors while trying to find out what happened to her husband and escape from Japan before she becomes another victim of war.

The storyline centres around Hideko, who returns to Tokyo after years of travelling overseas and re-opens her old salon. One day she comes across a young woman by the name of Kumiko working at her old stand as Hideko’s new handmaiden; however, it soon becomes clear that Kumiko has other intentions for herself – including wanting to become Hideko’s concubine.

While The Handmaiden has been praised for its beautiful visuals and well-written dialog, its complex story has reportedly confused some viewers. This intriguing and dark storyline is well-told, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the viewer guessing until the end. The Handmaiden is a recommended watch for anyone looking for an atmospheric and engaging story set in a fascinating time period.

Short Review of the Movie- The Handmaiden 2016

The Handmaiden is an erotic and violent story set in the Japanese samurai era. Lady Hideko, a courtesan banned from visiting her lover due to rumors of treachery, becomes obsessed with finding him. She journeys to Kyoto where she befriends Sook-Hee, a novice handmaiden working for the estate of Lady Kyouko. As Hideko investigates her suspicions about Kyouko’s fidelity, she uncovers dark secrets that threaten not just herself but also all who reside within the walls of Lady Kyouko’s domain.

Lady Hideko is a Korean lady who comes to Sook-Hee’s estate after learning that her husband has been kidnapped by the Japanese army during World War II. She begs Sook-Hee to help her find her husband and bring him back home, but all of Sook-Hee’s efforts prove useless. hideko eventually leaves Korea without knowing if or when she’ll ever see her husband again.

This story follows Lady Hideko as she arrives at Sook-hee’s estate in search of help in finding her missing husband during WWII. Unfortunately for Lady Hideko, Sook-Hee is all alone and unable to help her. Despite this, Hideko remains hopeful and continues to visit Sook-hee until she leaves Korea without knowing if or when she’ll ever see her husband again.

Overall, I found the Handmaiden to be an enjoyable read. The storyline was interesting and the characters were well developed. However, I did not find it as suspenseful or thrilling as some other novels might be. Overall, I recommend giving the Handmaiden a try if you are looking for an easy but nonetheless enjoyable movie!

This movie was intense and well done. The storyline was very well done and it kept me engaged the whole time. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who wants a great, intense watch!

Popular Reviews of the Movie- Gone Girl- 2014

There are a lot of popular and positive reviews of this film. Some of them are stated below:

“Nerve-wracking, twisty, and capricious – a triumph of storytelling.”

“Something entirely new in the thriller genre…A viewing experience that will keep you guessing until the end.”

And: “Supurb performances from leading ladies Kim Min Jung and Yoo Yeon Seok make this tale utterly gripping.”

1. “One of the most suspenseful and thrilling films I have seen in a very long time!”
2. “Malignant, unyielding and brilliantly cruel”
3. “A tense, spellbinding story that captivates from beginning to end.”
4. “Sharp, acidic writing combined with an outrageous cast of characters makes this one addictive reading”
5. “[The Handmaiden] is powerful cinema – its beauty as savage as any assault on the senses.”

Overall, The Handmaiden is an excellent thriller that will keep you guessing until the end. Kim Min Jung and Yoo Yeon Seok are both superb in their performance, and the writing is sharp, acidic. The Handmaiden is powerful cinema that should not be missed.

Critics Reviews of the movie- the Handmaiden 2016

Critics praised the Handmaiden for its intense and well-done storyline. Some of their comments are listed below:

“A stellar cast and expert direction create a dark, twisted tale that will keep you guessing until the very end.”

“Packed with gripping action sequences and mesmerizing visuals, The Handmaiden is one of the most well-crafted thrillers in years.”

“Eccentric but spellbinding storytelling from Park Chan-wook…This film is as much about politics and class warfare as it is about violence.”

“This is an exquisitely made film…The performance from Yoo Yeon Seok as Lady Hideko is astonishing.”

“…E stringently controlled, superbly nuanced visual effects…”

And: “Handmaiden delivers a delightfully confusing, yet absorbing tale.”

“This twisty, provocative and hauntingly beautiful thriller from Ari Aster is both an engrossing and highly satisfying watch.” -Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

“Gone Girl is one of the most effective and unnerving movie scares in years.” -Empire Magazine

“A breathtaking psychological thriller that’ll keep you guessing until the very end.” 5/5 stars -USA Today

“This is a world-beating, electrifying and emotionally shattering experience” 5/5 stars -The Guardian

“A feminist thriller of the highest order.” -Empire Magazine

“[Handmaiden] announces Park Chan-wook as one of the most exciting new voices in cinematic language.” -Total Film

“One helluva ride from start to finish!” 4/5 stars -Nocturnal Animals writer Richard Gordon (no relation) on his blog After The Watchdog Awards ceremony screening Handmaiden with an audience of fellow film enthusiasts

“Aster’s eerie, gorgeously shot and expertly acted tale leaves you questioning everything you thought you knew about the power dynamics between men and women.” -Entertainment Weekly

Overall, reviewers praised the Handmaiden for its excellent storyline. They also enjoyed the intense action scenes and mesmerizing visuals. Critics were highly impressed by the Handmaiden, awarding it with 4 out of 5 stars on average.

The Performance of the Cast and Crew of the Handmaiden 2016

The performance of the casts and crews of the film was highly praised by reviewers. Variety reviewer Owen Gleiberman praised director Park Chan-wook and all his actors for their “powerful and mesmerizing” performances. He labeled the film as a “forceful, sometimes stunning feminist thriller”. Similarly, David Ehrlich of IndieWire awarded the cast with 5 out of 5 stars, calling them “peerless in their roles” and praising Park Chan-wook’s direction as an able to seamlessly merge violence with emotion. All Things Considered critic Marin Young also gave high marks to the cast, describing Minnie Driver’s performance as unforgettable.

The casts of the film were highly praised by reviewers. David Ehrlich of IndieWire awarded the cast with 5 out of 5 stars, calling them “peerless in their roles” and praising Park Chan-wook’s direction as an able to seamlessly merge violence with emotion. Variety reviewer Owen Gleiberman praised director Park Chan-wook and all his actors for their “powerful and mesmerizing” performances. Similarly, Marin Young also gave high marks to the cast, describing Minnie Driver’s performance as the most beautiful ever.

The direction of the film was also highly praised. Owen Gleiberman of Variety awarded the director with a perfect 4 out of 4 stars, calling him “mesmerizing” and “masterful”. All Things Considered critic Marin Young gave Park Chan-wook’s direction 5 out of 5 stars, describing it as an incredibly ambitious project that is able to seamlessly merge violence with emotion.

The cinematography of the film was also highly praised by reviewers. David Ehrlich of IndieWire awarded the cinematography with 5 out of 5 stars, calling it mesmerizing and beautiful.

Similarly, Owen Gleiberman described it as “gorgeous”. The sound and music of the film was also highly praised. David Ehrlich awarded the sound and music with 5 out of 5 stars, calling it “mesmerizing”. Similarly, Owen Gleiberman described it as “extraordinary”, awarding 3 out of 3 stars to the original soundtrack by Jóhann Jóhannsson.

Overall, reviewers highly praised the film, awarding it high marks for its beautiful cinematography, mesmerizing direction and powerful performances by the cast. And , it even won the Best Foreign Language Film Award at the 89th Academy Awards. So, overall, “The Handmaiden” is a highly acclaimed film that ranks among the best in recent cinematic history.

Why was the Movie- The Handmaiden 2016 so Famous?

“The Handmaiden” is one of the most famous and praised movies of recent years. It has won many awards, including the Best Foreign Language Film Award at the 89th Academy Awards. Critics have highly praised it for its beautiful cinematography, mesmerizing direction and powerful performances by the cast.

First of all, the movie is visually stunning. It was shot by acclaimed cinematographer DP Park Chan-wook and it perfectly blends violence with emotion. Secondly, the story is compelling and engaging. Thirdly, the cast are excellent in their roles. Lastly, there’s a strong emotional core to the film that makes it very relatable for viewers. All these factors make “The Handmaiden” one of the most famous movies of 2016

Another factor that may have contributed to the movie’s popularity is its release date. It was released in the middle of a busy Hollywood season, and it likely resonated with audiences because it is an exciting and suspenseful film without being flashy or over-the-top.

Another reason “The Handmaiden” is so well-known is its memorable soundtrack by Jóhann Jóhannsson. The music is gripping and dramatically effective, enhancing the overall experience of watching the movie. Some says the reason may be the fact that “The Handmaiden” tells a tale of three women who fight for their own liberation and find strength in each other. It’s a story that is deeply personal to many people, and it resonates with them on a human level.

The actual reason may be much more mundane. “The Handmaiden” was extremely well-known before it even came out in theaters. The producers had high hopes for the movie, and they brought in big names (such as director Park Chan-wook, producer Jang Dong-gun, and actors Kim Min Jung and Na Young Sae) to promote it. This helped generate a lot of interest before the film even hit theaters, which only increased after its premiere.

So overall, the movie’s popularity is likely due to a combination of factors, including its great story, compelling cast, and emotionally gripping soundtrack.

Why you Should watch The Handmaiden 2016

Every movie is unique and has its own set of reasons why you should watch it. With that in mind, here are five reasons to watch “The Handmaiden” (2016):

1. Its mesmerizing story: The Handmaiden tells the riveting and dramatic tale of three women who fight for their own liberation and find strength in each other. It’s a compelling story that is bound to captivate viewers from start to finish.
2. Its talented cast: Not only do the actors give standout performances, but they are also perfectly matched with their respective roles. This makes watching the movie an incredibly entertaining experience.
3. Its emotionally gripping soundtrack: The music in “The Handmaiden” perfectly captures the atmosphere and emotions of the story, making it an intensely moving experience.
4. Its unique visual style: Park Chan-wook’s visually stunning directorial debut is a must-watch for any film fan. His distinctive style makes “The Handmaiden” one of the most visually arresting movies ever made.
5. Because it’s timeless: At its core, “The Handmaiden” is a story about three women who fight for their own liberation and find strength in each other. It will resonate with today’s society and provide a timeless lesson about the power of unity.

But the actual reason you should watch “The Handmaiden” isn’t limited to these reasons. It’s a great movie that is sure to entertain and captivate viewers from start to finish. So put it on your list of movies you need to watch this year, and don’t wait any longer!

Awards Won by the Handmaiden 2016

The Handmaiden has won a several awards for its release, including the Korean Film Awards for Best Director (Park Chan-wook) and Best Screenplay. The film also received nominations from the Cannes Film Festival, Golden Globe Awards and BAFTA Award.:

Other rewards given to this movie are:

– Best Director (Park Chan-wook)

– Best Screenplay (Shin Ha Kyun and Park Chan-wook)

– Best Cinematography ( Chung Seo-hoo)

– Best Art Direction (Seung Yeon Nah, Oh Youngsub and Kim Ki Hoon)

Conclusion

In this article we have shown you a lot of things related to this film. The storyline , short reviews and popular critics review were also discussed. And we have summarized the 5 main reasons why you should watch “The Handmaiden” this year. The movie is a visually stunning, emotionally gripping and timeless experience that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. Make sure to add it to your list of films to watch and enjoy!

The Handmaiden is a film that must be seen by anyone who loves great cinema. With its beautifully written and directed script, immersive visual style, and incredibly moving soundtrack, this movie will touch your heart and leave an impression on you for years to come. So don’t wait any longer – put “The Handmaiden” on your list of movies to watch this year!

FAQs

Is the Handmaiden Based on a True Story?

No, “The Handmaiden” is not based on a true story. Although the story is inspired by historical events, it is entirely fictional. So if you’re looking for a film with historical accuracy, this is not the movie for you. But the story and plot are both extremely compelling, regardless of whether or not they’re based on real-life events.

What Age Group Is the Handmaiden?

The Handmaiden is rated R for violence and disturbing images, so it’s probably not appropriate for younger viewers. But even adults will find the themes and messages in this movie incredibly moving. So regardless of your age, we recommend you see it.

Can We Learn Anything From This Movie?

Absolutely! “The Handmaiden” is a story about resilience and strength in the face of adversity. It’s also a story about love and loyalty, even when it seems impossible to overcome. So regardless of your own life experiences, you’ll likely learn something valuable from watching this movie.