The recipe for this film: random conflict for the sole purpose to set up and induce meaningless plot twist after twist; a sprinkle of symbolism here and there; various graphic acts with a touch of unusual characters in equally bizarre costumes; all neatly packaged with a comical, voyeuristic homoerotic act.
With some reflection, it is clear to us that each ingredient was tactfully manufactured to artificially arouse the audience. Yet, keener and more experienced eyes will not succumb to such parlor tricks. They will notice despite how engaging and provocative some moments were, how contrived, unnatural, and ungratifying the screenplay was to induce viewers to the various twists, detracting from the overall storytelling experience. The movie was a boisterous performance to posturize Park's chops as an experienced director and a film enthusiast, but not as a storyteller. All in all, The Handmaiden is a far cry from Park Chan Wook's earlier notable works, which seamlessly showed originality and a honest exploration of life's gravitas.