The Handmaiden

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The Handmaiden

(2016)

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Overview

1930s Korea, in the period of Japanese occupation, a young woman is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress who lives a secluded life on a large countryside estate with her domineering uncle. But, the maid has a secret: she is a pickpocket recruited by a swindler posing as a Japanese count to help him seduce the heiress to elope with him, rob her of her fortune, and lock her up in a madhouse. The plan seems to proceed according to plan until the women discover some unexpected emotions.

Featured Crew

Park Chan-wook

Director, Writer
Sarah Waters

Novel
Chung Seo-kyung

Writer

Top Billed Cast

Kim Min-hee

Lady Hideko
Kim Tae-ri

Sookee
Ha Jung-woo

Count Fujiwara
Cho Jin-woong

Uncle Kouzuki
Kim Hae-sook

Ms. Sasaki

Full Cast & Crew

Featured Review

A review by Reno

8.0

Written by Reno on August 10, 2017

In the circle of romance, deceive and defraud.

Those who are into the world cinema, particularly the Korean, knows Park Chan-wook very well. But if you don't, then you must. His films are definitely for the grown ups. Like everybody else, my admiration for his work has started a decade ago with the film 'Oldboy'. He had tried his luck in Hollywood with 'Stoker'. Despite a good entertainer, it was criticised. I love Park Chan-wook doing hundred masterpieces like this in Korea than trying to do one in Hollywood. His ability to turn the good book into a great flick was phenomenal. Here it g... read the rest.

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Facts

Original Title 아가씨

Status Released

Release Information

September 22, 2016

NC-17
Premiere

Meaning

These films contain excessive graphic violence, intense or explicit sex, depraved, abhorrent behavior, explicit drug abuse, strong language, explicit nudity, or any other elements which, at present, most parents would consider too strong and therefore off-limits for viewing by their children and teens. NC-17 does not necessarily mean obscene or pornographic in the oft-accepted or legal meaning of those words.
October 22, 2016

Theatrical (limited)

Meaning