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Last updated: 10 Jun 2026 at 10:12 UTC

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Review of by Steve B — 12 Oct 2017

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Provocative, perverse, breathtaking. Chan-Wook Park's deceitful drama is about beauty, sexuality, power and above all honesty. A brilliantly crafted cinematic drama, Park's period piece not only excels in its intricate tri-partite narrative but in its decadent and erotic cinematography.

Guided along by spell-binding performances by Tae Rae Kim and Min-hee Kim, the Handmaiden seeks at both critiquing and reinforcing it's protagonists each depiction a cautionary tale of lust, pride, greed and envy.

Truly an international masterpiece the film's themes of honesty, fidelity and dominance only grow stronger as the narrative spirals further into complex duplicity. While many will know Park from his breakout 'Oldboy', 'The Handmaiden's' intricate plot, sumptuous acting and decadent cinematography makes this Park's Magnus Opus.

This review of The Handmaiden (2016) was written by on 12 Oct 2017.

The Handmaiden has generally received very positive reviews.

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