The Handmaiden
1930s Korea, in the period of Japanese occupation, a new girl, Sookee, is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress, Hideko, who lives a secluded life on a large countryside estate with her domineering Uncle Kouzuki. But the maid has a secret. She is a pickpocket recruited by a swindler posing as a Japanese Count to help him seduce the Lady to steal her fortune.
Audience Sentiment
The aunt's tragic fate unveiled
Setting the scene in occupied Korea
The film builds steadily from its modest opening to powerful emotional peaks, particularly around the revelation of past traumas and the women's ultimate triumph
Critics consistently praised The Handmaiden as a masterfully crafted film that builds from a deceptively simple opening into an intricate, emotionally powerful narrative. The film maintains high audience engagement throughout its complex three-part structure, with particular acclaim for its bold sensuality, visual craftsmanship, and satisfying conclusion.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 56
Kim Min-hee
Lady Hideko
Kim Tae-ri
Sook-hee
Ha Jung-woo
Count Fujiwara
Cho Jin-woong
Uncle Kouzuki
Kim Hae-sook
Ms. Sasaki
Moon So-ri
Hideko's Aunt
Lee Yong-nyeo
Bok-soon
Kwak Eun-jin
Kkeut-dan
Lee Dong-hwi
Goo-gai
Jo Eun-hyung
Young Hideko
Rina Takagi
Hideko's Mother
Han Ha-na
Junko
Lee Kyu-jung
Maid 1
Kim See-eun
Maid 2
Ha Si-yeon
Maid 3
Kim Eun-yeong
Maid 4
Jeong Ha-dam
Maid 5
Yoo Min-chae
Ggeut-dan
Won Geun-hee
Butler
Kim Jong-dae
Mansion Driver
Crew
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