Review of The Handmaiden (2016) by Compi24 — 04 Apr 2023

Park Chan-wook delivers a solid — albeit occasionally indulgent — crime thriller, nailing the twists and turns with skill and framing it all with a deft hand. Call me puritan all you want, I just found this to be a bit *too* horny at times.

Obviously some of the ideas at hand are purposefully perverse and controversial, but with the way some scenes and shots lingered, I couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable by things. Make no mistake, this isn't porn or anything.

I just think that certain ideas behind certain scenes could have been streamlined. That aside however, I had a good time with this. The narrative is exquisitely dark, yet tender and well-constructed. You gotta love double-crosses that are followed swiftly by a double-double cross.

Again, solid stuff overall. Just not sure I'd ever be able to recommend this to my parents without blushing.