When was The Handmaiden released?

The Handmaiden was first released on 1 June 2016. In the US, it premiered on 22 September 2016 and opened in limited theatrical release on 21 October 2016.

Where can I watch The Handmaiden?

In the US, The Handmaiden is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and to rent on Fandango At Home. Availability can change, so check the platforms directly.

Who is in the cast of The Handmaiden?

The film stars Kim Min-hee as Lady Hideko, Kim Tae-ri as Sook-hee, Ha Jung-woo as Count Fujiwara and Cho Jin-woong as Uncle Kouzuki. Kim Hae-sook and Moon So-ri are among the supporting cast.

How long is The Handmaiden, and what is it rated?

The Handmaiden runs 145 minutes. It is rated R in the US, largely because of its explicit erotic content.

What language is The Handmaiden in?

The film is a South Korean production with dialogue in Korean and Japanese.

The Handmaiden (2016): Plot, Cast, Review & Where to Watch

The Handmaiden plot summary (no spoilers)

The setting is Korea in the 1930s, under Japanese colonial rule. On a vast, isolated country estate lives Lady Hideko, a wealthy Japanese heiress whose days are tightly controlled by her overbearing Uncle Kouzuki. Into this closed world steps Sook-hee, a young Korean woman taken on as Hideko’s new lady’s maid.

Sook-hee is not who she claims to be. She is a skilled pickpocket, recruited for a con by a smooth-talking swindler who calls himself Count Fujiwara. His plan is to court the heiress, win her hand and take control of her fortune. Sook-hee’s job is to stay close to her mistress and nudge her toward the Count.

The scheme depends on trust, and trust soon becomes complicated. As Sook-hee settles into the household, with its imposing library and its strict routines, her bond with Hideko grows in ways she did not expect. Desire, jealousy and loyalty begin to pull against the original plan. Every character seems to be performing a role, and no one inside the mansion can be sure who is deceiving whom.

The Handmaiden — Mood illustration, not a still from the film — Mood illustration, not a still from the film

What makes The Handmaiden notable

Director and writers: The film is directed by Park Chan-wook, who co-wrote the screenplay with Chung Seo-kyung. It is adapted from a novel, with the story relocated to Korea during the Japanese occupation.

Cast: Kim Min-hee plays Lady Hideko and Kim Tae-ri plays Sook-hee. Ha Jung-woo is the self-styled Count Fujiwara, and Cho Jin-woong is Uncle Kouzuki. The supporting cast includes Kim Hae-sook as Ms. Sasaki, Moon So-ri as Hideko’s aunt, and Lee Yong-nyeo, Kwak Eun-jin, Lee Dong-hwi and Jo Eun-hyung.

Genre and tone: The Handmaiden combines thriller, drama and romance. It is an erotic thriller built around a con, with a central lesbian relationship, period detail and a melodramatic edge. The film contains explicit sexual content and is rated R in the US.

Origin and language: The film is a South Korean production from Moho Film, Yong Film and CJ Entertainment. Dialogue is in both Korean and Japanese, which reflects the colonial setting. The runtime is 145 minutes.

Reception: For readers looking for a review snapshot, the film holds an average audience score of about 8.2/10 on TMDB, based on more than 4,500 votes.

Who will enjoy The Handmaiden

Viewers who like twisty con-artist and heist stories built on deception
Fans of Park Chan-wook and Korean cinema
Anyone drawn to lavish period dramas, especially stories set in 1930s Korea
Audiences looking for LGBTQ+ romance in a thriller setting
Adult viewers who are comfortable with mature erotic content

Release date & where to watch The Handmaiden

The Handmaiden first opened worldwide on 1 June 2016. In the United States, it premiered on 22 September 2016 and began a limited theatrical release on 21 October 2016 with an R rating.

In the US, the film is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. It can also be rented on Fandango At Home. An official trailer is available. Streaming catalogues change over time, so check each platform for current availability.

Trailer

Cast

Kim Min-heeas Lady Hideko
Kim Tae-rias Sook-hee
Ha Jung-wooas Count Fujiwara
Cho Jin-woongas Uncle Kouzuki
Kim Hae-sookas Ms. SasakiSee credits →
Moon So-rias Hideko's AuntSee credits →
Lee Yong-nyeoas Bok-soon
Kwak Eun-jinas Kkeut-dan

Photo: TMDB

FAQ

When was The Handmaiden released?: The Handmaiden was first released on 1 June 2016. In the US, it premiered on 22 September 2016 and opened in limited theatrical release on 21 October 2016.
Where can I watch The Handmaiden?: In the US, The Handmaiden is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and to rent on Fandango At Home. Availability can change, so check the platforms directly.
Who is in the cast of The Handmaiden?: The film stars Kim Min-hee as Lady Hideko, Kim Tae-ri as Sook-hee, Ha Jung-woo as Count Fujiwara and Cho Jin-woong as Uncle Kouzuki. Kim Hae-sook and Moon So-ri are among the supporting cast.
How long is The Handmaiden, and what is it rated?: The Handmaiden runs 145 minutes. It is rated R in the US, largely because of its explicit erotic content.
What language is The Handmaiden in?: The film is a South Korean production with dialogue in Korean and Japanese.

Sources

Viewer comments

Loading comments…