The Handmaiden (2016)

Disturbing, yet satisfying.

I had high expectations and this movie met them. I liked it from the acting to the cinematography, the storytelling, the settings and visuals (Gorgeous!!). But I'm also going ahead to talk about what I didn't like, since it was already praised so much.

This is one of the few movies that caught my interest within the first 10 minutes, not wasting any time and jumping right into the story. I can easily see how other movies will take their time portraying the maid as an innocent and go "But NO! She was actually a cheat!" after like 20 minutes. Glad that they didn't do that. The first part was visually gorgeous. Take a screenshot and it would be a painting. It also seemed like a regular drama plot-wise. You're just waiting for something to go wrong and in my case, the first plot twist did not work too well as I could see it coming. Things were simply going too well for the careless and overly confident maid. Still did not stop me from enjoying their relationship and since I found the maid absolutely adorable and entertaining.

The second part though was truly unexpected. Easily the best part of the film. I was completely invested in the backstory of our main lead. It quickly went into fucked up territory and had me feeling disturbed to thinking "that's absolutely disgusting". I understand the significance of the auction scenes, but I would probably skip them on a rewatch. Absolute best scene was when Miss broke down and attempted to hang herself; the turning point. I must say it was incredibly satisfying to watch and realise where things were going later on.

For the last part, I'm going to be a little picky. Since its purpose is to wrap up the show, things were starting to go way too well. The tone shifted to that more of a kdrama, which was fine, but some scenes also felt slightly unnecessary. Still, the cellar scene was satisfyingly disturbing and you will thank the Count for killing the creepy uncle along with himself.

About the characters. The two leads had amazing chemistry and completed each other perfectly. The "Count" was probably the standout character though. He's despicable and he deserved his outcome, but was actually not all that unlikeable since he ironically gave the Miss her freedom and punished her uncle for her. What I really liked was that all of them had immoral intentions, which made the protagonists much more charming imo.

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A Cinematic Masterpiece

Rarely does a film come along that redefines the boundaries of storytelling and cements its place as an undeniable masterpiece. This film does just that, delivering a cinematic experience that will linger in your mind long after the credits roll. From its breathtaking cinematography to the exceptional performances by the lead actresses, every element of this movie is meticulously crafted, resulting in a work of art that stands head and shoulders above the rest.

The cinematography is nothing short of extraordinary, with each frame meticulously composed to draw you deeper into the narrative. The director's use of light and shadow, coupled with stunning, sweeping shots, immerses the viewer into the film's world, making every scene not just a visual treat but also an emotional journey. The visuals perfectly complement the film's tone, enhancing the tension and the beauty of the story.

The acting in this film is truly remarkable, with the lead actresses delivering performances that are as powerful as they are nuanced. The chemistry between them is palpable, creating an authentic connection that drives the narrative forward with intensity and passion. Their portrayals are so believable that you feel every emotion, every conflict, and every moment of tenderness between them. It's this chemistry that forms the heart of the film, making the characters' journeys both relatable and deeply moving.

What sets this film apart, however, is its storytelling. The narrative structure is sublime, allowing us to see the story unfold from both protagonists' perspectives. This dual point of view adds layers of depth to the film, making the final plot twist not just surprising but utterly satisfying. The twist is a testament to the film's brilliant writing, weaving together all the narrative threads into a conclusion that feels both inevitable and shocking.

In summary, this film is a masterclass in filmmaking. It excels in every aspect—from its stunning cinematography and exceptional performances to its brilliant storytelling and unforgettable plot twist. It's a film that demands to be seen, appreciated, and remembered as one of the greats.

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Park Chan Wook at his most accessible

Park Chan Wook is responsible for seminal works in the movie industry, and he is known as a plot twist deity .

The genius in his works usually make for an unstable watch and most times an inaccessible moment for moviegoers but in Handmaiden he condescends to make an approachable and accessible watch. The themes of colonial Korea and the tension with Japan are enduring as well as the other themes explored that include feminism ,liberation and sexuality.

Its beautifully shot and wonderfully acted too.

I do find Park Chan Wook a bit of a difficult pill to swallow so if he is your fave then you will surely love this.

If you are just starting out in watching his films , then this is the more accessible he has and great for beginners.

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a must watch!

What a movie! What an experience!

I loved every part of it but especially the acting. I can't believe that this is the same person that played such an innocent character in 2521. I love that actors don't just stick with one genre but explore and my oh my she's one talented actress indeed.

Furthermore, the story is just top notch. I was shocked when there was this plot twist...and also how weird that a child had to read such vulgar words, but then again it goes with the story, albeit weird. I especially loved how the men were punished at the end. I did not expect a happy ending with that poster but I was pleasantly surprised.

I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone who loves and appreciates all kinds of genres, not just romcom.

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I love this movie from the bottom of my heart

This movie has so beautiful places like the house is just so majestetic, I want that kind of house too!

But the men in this movie are so annoying..
I Think I started to hate lil bit MORE men because this🥲 btw I've always hated men/boys (I have my own reasons)

Now lets speak the sex scenes in this movie!
Masterpiece.
Do I need to say something else? hmm...
The sex scenes were so beautiful and I want it too..jk jk (Or am I🤨)

If you like lesbian movies where are annoying men, beautiful sex scenes, majestetic clothes and so pretty places, this is for you!

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A few words that describes this story: Breathtaking, Mind-blowing, Plot-twist, and Psychological.

STORY:
I think the title of this review says it all. This story is a Rollercoaster, so please make sure to wear your seat belt before you start the ride. I really enjoy historical and psychological movie, so I knew that I was going to enjoy the story from the start. It starts a bit slow, but it gets more and more interesting the more you watch. So, please don't drop it because of that! Give it a chance! I believe is worth it. The cinematography is beautiful. It is expected since it is a historical genre, and most of those have good cinematography. That is why I'm fond of them. You will see a lot of plot-twists in this story, so please do pay close attention and do NOT skip anything or else you will be left very confused. The plot-twists are mind-blowing to me cause I was not expecting them at all lol. It is also psychological, so do expect to see things that can be triggering, like blood, violence, sexual harassment, manipulation, and other similar things. Also, do keep in mind that this has mature content and that you will see bed scenes. I'm just warning you all ahead so that it's not too shocking lol. Anyways, the story is a bit slow, but it feels just right at the same time. And it has a happy ending! Yay! Overall, I will give the plot 8 out of 10.

CONS:
Some things I personally didn't like about the movie is how disgusting the men were, and how the mature themes were portrayed. I mean, let's be real, there are many many many men out there that are like that and it's not just fiction. This is reality. I'm not saying all men are like this of course, but let's say that a big percentage is, so this is not something unusual or rare, but it's still unlikable to me and disgusting to watch. Of course, that doesn't make it a bad movie though. As for the mature themes, what I didn't like about them is that it felt a bit unrealistic. They portrayed lesbian love scenes in a way that it felt like it was meant to be for the male view and not for the audience as a whole. It was a bit unpleasant, but not too bad to the point that you will hate it. I just think that they could have done it a bit more romantic, instead of it just being sex. This is just my personal opinion, of course. Since this is a lesbian story, the production team should have made it more romantic to portray the love between the two girls better.

ACTING / CASTING:
The casting is perfect for me. The two female leads are very beautiful and I love the chemistry between them. The acting is also amazing. They portrayed every emotion well, to the point that I even cried twice lol. The cast and acting was great, so I will give it a 9 out of 10.

MUSIC / REWATCH VALUE:
The music and soundtrack of this movie is a masterpiece. I mean, what else can I say? It is a historical movie, so it is expected to be this good. I really love it. I even found a Playlist on YouTube with the soundtracks and I couldn't help but to listen to it again because of how beautiful it is. Definitely a 8.5 out of 10 for the music. As for the rewatch value, I will give it a 7.5 out of 10. This is actually my second time watching this movie. The reason why I did it is because the first time I skipped a lot of scenes because it was slow. But after rewatching it for the second time (without skipping anything), I regret doing that. It is not worth to skip anything! If you do, you will miss out a lot of the plot. So, don't do the same mistake I did, please! I would rewatch this again to be honest, but at the same time, I believe that watching it once or twice is enough, unless you miss the story too much, haha!

Overall, I really enjoyed it. It is definitely worth to watch. I recommend it. It is a 8.5 out of 10 for me. If I'm not wrong, this movie has been dubbed in different languages too. I saw an English and a Spanish Dub. So, if you are not a big fan of reading subtitles (Not me lol!), then you can try watching the dubs that are available. Thank you for reading! <3

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beautiful story and a lesbian treat!

i don’t particularly indulge myself in romance content. i prefer action and thriller. however, i can tell a good movie when i see one.

this movie was absolutely beautiful. it brought about a pure love story that defies all obstacles. although the love between the main characters was pure, their circumstances was far from it. personally i felt a deep sympathy towards lady hideko and pride. for sook-hee it was adoration and admiration.

their love story was something unexpected in their lives. they appeared in each other’s lives at the perfect time. they both needed each other.

the plot twists were amazing and unexpected. after the first plot twist, i let out a huge gasp in surprise. i was tricked into thinking the movie was over until saw the duration and realised otherwise. the second plot twist was emotional and a pleasant surprise.

i was cheering them and their love on. it was just like the first cherry blossoms of spring.

the acting was nothing less than phenomenal! kim min-hee and kim tae-ri did a spectacular job portraying their roles. their chemistry together was off the charts. i could see the gayness literally overflowing. i have to point out that tae-ri’s abs and minhee in kimonos and suits was my favourite thing ever in the movie. this movie made me love tae-ri more than i already do and i didn’t think it was possible. she should take on many more queer roles!

it’s definitely for adult audiences (17+ish). however the nudity and sex scenes added to the story and were placed very timely.

i have to give special honour to the last scene. it was beautiful. it tied everything together well. it has small details/symbols that were talked about earlier in the movie. the scene will be much more impactful if you pick up on the small nuances. the bells ringing at the end were perfection and they mirrored wedding bells so perfectly.

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Watch it without reading/watching any reviews beforehand!

I made the mistake of watching some YouTube reviews before I watched the movie, so the plot twists were spoiled for me. Watch it going in blind and with an open mind.
I think Kim Tae Ri was brave as a rookie actress taking on the role when she knew that full nudity (and more) was required, and she is amazing. She fully deserves all the awards she got afterwards.
The chemistry between Kim Min Hee and Kim Tae Ri was great and it's a pity that the controversy about Kim Min Hee's personal life overshadowed her acting in this film.
This is the first film I've seen from director Park Chan Wook, so I'm curious to see his past works and his latest one, Decision To Leave.
The Handmaiden is a masterpiece movie and highly recommended.

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Um filme praticamente perfeito.
A história é extremamente rica e bem planejada. Desde o primeiro momento, é perceptível o cuidado e a boa execução dos produtores e dos roteiristas. O filme inteiro traz mistério, drama, tragédia, suspense, romance e até mesmo um pouco de comédia; tudo na medida correta. Quando você acha que está chegando no clímax, um novo acontecimento te surpreende. A existência de tantas descobertas e plot-twits faz com que as (quase) três horas de filme valham a pena de serem assistidas.
O romance é sensual e explícito, mas não vulgar e sem sentido. Mesmo assim, não recomendo que pessoas abaixo de 18 anos assistam, pois traz conteúdos de violência, estupro e tortura que podem acabar sendo perturbadores para algumas pessoas (apesar de que, para mim, deram um "quê" diferente para a produção).
O trabalho de TODOS os atores foi simplesmente incrível. Eu não tive uma única decepção com o profissionalismo, dedicação e execução beirando a perfeição, onde o filme mesclou o tempo todo entre dois idiomas (japonês e coreano) que eram falados com fluência pelos atores.
Talvez os únicos pontos que poderiam ser melhorados é a trilha sonora, que quase não apareceu, e talvez um foco um pouquinho maior na questão histórica, porque para quem não entende como aconteceu a ocupação Japonesa, pode ficar um pouco confuso alguns detalhes da cronologia histórica em que o filme ocorre (eu, por exemplo, demorei para entender algumas coisinhas).
Fora isso e o tempo um pouco extenso do filme que pode acabar incomodando algumas pessoas (e que também me levou a colocar uma nota 8.0 para o valor de reassistir), eu simplesmente amei! Fazia um BOM tempo que eu não ficava tão satisfeita assim com um filme!
Amei e, com toda a certeza do mundo, vou recomendar para as pessoas.
Nota 9.5

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