The Handmaiden (2016)
Park Chan-wook's intoxicating thriller of deception, desire, and liberation set against the backdrop of Japanese-occupied Korea.
The Handmaiden - Movie Information
- Original Title: 아가씨
- Release Year: 2016
- Directed by: Park Chan-wook
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller, Drama, Romance
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 2h 25m
- Original Language: Korean
- Spoken Languages: Japanese, Korean
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 1, 2016 (South Korea - 19), February 17, 2017 (United Kingdom - 18), January 5, 2017 (Germany - 16), November 2, 2016 (France - 12), October 13, 2016 (Australia - R 18+), January 12, 2017 (Brazil - 18), July 8, 2016 (Italy), December 2, 2016 (Spain - 16)
- Alternative Titles: Agassi (KR), Mademoiselle (FR), Fingersmith (UK), Xidmətçi (AZ), 下女诱罪 (HK), 小姐 (CN), Palvelijatar (FI)
- Production Companies: Moho Film, Yong Film, CJ Entertainment
- Production Countries: South Korea
The Handmaiden - Plot
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.
The Handmaiden - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the layers of intrigue begin to unfold:
You're the one being tricked.
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The Handmaiden - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Park Chan-wook
Main Cast
- Kim Min-hee
- Kim Tae-ri
- Ha Jung-woo
- Cho Jin-woong
- Kim Hae-sook
- Moon So-ri
- Lee Yong-nyeo
- Kwak Eun-jin
- Lee Dong-hwi
- Jo Eun-hyung
Writers
- Park Chan-wook
- Chung Seo-kyung
Producers
- Syd Lim
The Handmaiden - FAQs
Where can you stream The Handmaiden?
The Handmaiden is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video in the US. It can also be rented digitally through Fandango At Home. Availability may vary by region, so check JustWatch for the most current streaming and rental options in your area.
Is The Handmaiden based on a true story?
No, The Handmaiden is not based on a true story. It is loosely adapted from Sarah Waters' 2002 British novel Fingersmith, with Park Chan-wook transposing the Victorian England setting to 1930s Japanese-occupied Korea, creating an entirely reimagined narrative steeped in colonial history and psychological intrigue.
What is The Handmaiden about?
Set in 1930s colonial Korea, The Handmaiden follows Sookee, a pickpocket hired as a maid to Japanese heiress Hideko. Secretly working with a con man posing as a nobleman, she aims to help him steal Hideko's fortune — but layers of deception, desire, and betrayal unravel everyone's plans.
Who are the lead actors in The Handmaiden?
The Handmaiden stars Kim Min-hee as Lady Hideko and Kim Tae-ri as Sook-hee, the handmaiden. Ha Jung-woo plays the scheming Count Fujiwara, while Cho Jin-woong portrays the menacing Uncle Kouzuki. Kim Tae-ri's performance marked her feature film debut and earned widespread critical acclaim.
Does The Handmaiden have a happy ending?
Yes, The Handmaiden ends on a triumphant note for its two female protagonists. Sook-hee and Lady Hideko ultimately outwit every man who sought to control or exploit them, escaping together. Their ending is a hard-won liberation — emotionally resonant, defiant, and deeply satisfying given the film's layered deceptions.
What age rating does The Handmaiden carry?
The Handmaiden is rated R in the United States. The film contains explicit sexual content, nudity, and scenes of psychological and physical abuse. It is intended for mature audiences only. International ratings vary: 18 in the UK, 16 in Germany and Spain, and R 18+ in Australia.
Did The Handmaiden win any major awards?
The Handmaiden received widespread recognition, winning the BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language in 2017. It also earned the Vulcan Award at the Cannes Film Festival and was South Korea's submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, receiving numerous additional nominations worldwide.
How long is The Handmaiden film?
The Handmaiden has a runtime of 145 minutes, approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes. An extended cut running around 168 minutes was also released, adding further depth to the story's intricate three-part structure. Both versions are celebrated for their meticulous pacing and visual storytelling.
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