Looks can be deceiving. And that aphorism works on a couple of different levels in Park Chan-Wook‘s deliciously lurid “The Handmaiden.” For one, audiences shouldn’t be deceived by the period trappings of the picture — this is hardly a staid, stately drama. And for the characters in the film, they also are soon to learn that no one is to be trusted. And really, that’s all you should know going in, as half the fun of “The Handmaiden” is experiencing the unraveling of each layer of this wild tale.
Starring Kim Min-hee, Ha Jung-woo, Kim Tae-ri and Cho Jin-woong, the movie finds a pair of thieves entering a partnership to bilk a high society woman out of her fortune through a complex long con. But that’s the just the start of a story that is sexy, outrageous and constantly surprising. Here’s the official synopsis:
From PARK Chan-wook, the celebrated director of OLDBOY, LADY VENGEANCE, THIRST and STOKER, comes a ravishing new crime drama inspired by the novel ‘FINGERSMITH’ by British author Sarah Waters. Having transposed the story to 1930s-era colonial Korea and Japan, Park presents a gripping and sensual tale of a young Japanese Lady living on a secluded estate, and a Korean woman who is hired to serve as her new handmaiden, but who is secretly involved in a conman’s plot to defraud her of her large inheritance. Powered by remarkable performances from KIM Min-hee (RIGHT NOW, WRONG THEN) as Lady Hideko, HA Jung-woo (THE CHASER) as the conman who calls himself the Count and sensational debut actress KIM Tae-ri as the maid Sookee, THE HANDMAIDEN borrows the most dynamic elements of its source material and combines it with PARK Chan-wook’s singular vision and energy to create an unforgettable viewing experience.
“The Handmaiden” opens in cinemas on October 14th.
