The Handmaiden is divided into three parts and we will get different impressions for each part. We don't know where the story is going and the plot itself is already perfect and satisfying. The atmosphere in this movie is really unique, sometimes it feels lunatic then shifts to thrilling then digusting. It's psychologically intriguing.
As for the casts, everyone performed greatly. I have to mention Kim Min-hee stands out the most, she showcased her acting skills here. Remember I told you there are three parts with different impressions? Kim Min-hee is able to give off various vibes throughout the movie. I'm a fan.
Seriously folks, perfect plotting adds to flawless acting performance equals to a perfect movie. I'm grateful they made The Handmaiden.
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Tesoura com tesoura
Vei, simplesmente perfeito, o melhor filme da vida isso sem dúvida alguma. Plot Twist atrás de plot twist, já reassisti tantas vezes que nem dá pra contar. É uma das melhores se não a melhor produção sáfica da história. TE AMK A CRIADA!!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
gag
estou fascinado com esse filme aqui. tem uma atmosfera tão hipnotizante que eu não queria saber de nada além do aconteceria nos minutos seguintes. tem algo que torna ele extremamente sensual e eu aposto na melancolia que rodeia não só os personagens mas o próprio ambiente. é muito interessante acompanhar o modo como o filme escala pois vem sempre algo de surpreendente na história, e todos personagens são tão intrigantes que você sabe que pra onde o passo andar vai ser bom de se acompanhar.p.s. a sookhee destruindo a biblioteca foi uma das coisas mais sensuais e românticas que eu já vi.
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BE GAY, DO CRIME AT IT'S HISTORICAL FINEST~~
Much sexy, much love, much wow.Nothing beats having two lesbians happily in love and a happy ending.
do...
The sound of bells and the peaceful moon at the end do justice to the storyline, a beautiful way to drop the curtains. Although yes the movie should be tagged mature for the content.
When you start the movie you feel like a simple con movie? That's it? But at the end who gets coned for real is the real deal. In the end, you feel like no I can not continue this but pleasant it has been.
The complicated nature of humans comes to the surface in this stellar movie. Respect for the actors.
If you think about it, LOVE was what saved them, if both of them continued their initial scheme, they wouldn't have ended up together, if both of them viewed money as their ultimate goal, either one of them would've died. But they chose LOVE in the end, despite the odds, they believed in each other and I think... that's really beautiful. :') ♡
Plot twists at its best. :')
I would definitely recommend this to my fellow LGBTQ+ but only if they're above 21. ;)
To the people who made this film possible and my new women empowerment queen Jung Seo Kyung, kamsahamnida!
Sincerely,
Your gay mind blown viewer
Final Rating: 10/10
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This review may contain spoilers
Disturbing, yet satisfying.
I had high expectations and this movie met them. I liked it from the acting to the cinematography, the storytelling, the settings and visuals (Gorgeous!!). But I'm also going ahead to talk about what I didn't like, since it was already praised so much.This is one of the few movies that caught my interest within the first 10 minutes, not wasting any time and jumping right into the story. I can easily see how other movies will take their time portraying the maid as an innocent and go "But NO! She was actually a cheat!" after like 20 minutes. Glad that they didn't do that. The first part was visually gorgeous. Take a screenshot and it would be a painting. It also seemed like a regular drama plot-wise. You're just waiting for something to go wrong and in my case, the first plot twist did not work too well as I could see it coming. Things were simply going too well for the careless and overly confident maid. Still did not stop me from enjoying their relationship and since I found the maid absolutely adorable and entertaining.
The second part though was truly unexpected. Easily the best part of the film. I was completely invested in the backstory of our main lead. It quickly went into fucked up territory and had me feeling disturbed to thinking "that's absolutely disgusting". I understand the significance of the auction scenes, but I would probably skip them on a rewatch. Absolute best scene was when Miss broke down and attempted to hang herself; the turning point. I must say it was incredibly satisfying to watch and realise where things were going later on.
For the last part, I'm going to be a little picky. Since its purpose is to wrap up the show, things were starting to go way too well. The tone shifted to that more of a kdrama, which was fine, but some scenes also felt slightly unnecessary. Still, the cellar scene was satisfyingly disturbing and you will thank the Count for killing the creepy uncle along with himself.
About the characters. The two leads had amazing chemistry and completed each other perfectly. The "Count" was probably the standout character though. He's despicable and he deserved his outcome, but was actually not all that unlikeable since he ironically gave the Miss her freedom and punished her uncle for her. What I really liked was that all of them had immoral intentions, which made the protagonists much more charming imo.
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A Cinematic Masterpiece
Rarely does a film come along that redefines the boundaries of storytelling and cements its place as an undeniable masterpiece. This film does just that, delivering a cinematic experience that will linger in your mind long after the credits roll. From its breathtaking cinematography to the exceptional performances by the lead actresses, every element of this movie is meticulously crafted, resulting in a work of art that stands head and shoulders above the rest.
The cinematography is nothing short of extraordinary, with each frame meticulously composed to draw you deeper into the narrative. The director's use of light and shadow, coupled with stunning, sweeping shots, immerses the viewer into the film's world, making every scene not just a visual treat but also an emotional journey. The visuals perfectly complement the film's tone, enhancing the tension and the beauty of the story.
The acting in this film is truly remarkable, with the lead actresses delivering performances that are as powerful as they are nuanced. The chemistry between them is palpable, creating an authentic connection that drives the narrative forward with intensity and passion. Their portrayals are so believable that you feel every emotion, every conflict, and every moment of tenderness between them. It's this chemistry that forms the heart of the film, making the characters' journeys both relatable and deeply moving.
What sets this film apart, however, is its storytelling. The narrative structure is sublime, allowing us to see the story unfold from both protagonists' perspectives. This dual point of view adds layers of depth to the film, making the final plot twist not just surprising but utterly satisfying. The twist is a testament to the film's brilliant writing, weaving together all the narrative threads into a conclusion that feels both inevitable and shocking.
In summary, this film is a masterclass in filmmaking. It excels in every aspect—from its stunning cinematography and exceptional performances to its brilliant storytelling and unforgettable plot twist. It's a film that demands to be seen, appreciated, and remembered as one of the greats.
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I was not as blown away as I expected
I originally wanted to give this a 9/10, but looking at my ratings in the different categories, that would be unfaithful to the movie. It had a similar vibe to Parasite and Monster, both of which throw you around with new revelations, so that was what I expected, but I wasn't thrown around nearly as much as I thought. I was only startled at the turning point between part 1 and part 2, the rest wasn't as revolutionary (tho learning what "reading" meant was certainly unsettling and shocking, but not in the way I'm talking about here). So I think my disappointment was affecting how I wanted to rate it.- Taboo topics
I love the exploration of taboo topics, especially how it's done so casually. Or, casually in the sense that it's not portrayed as something wrong or extraordinary, it's just presented to you, there's no one on-screen who can't understand it or are prejudiced, and you are just left to make up your own mind about it. It's not casual in how the movie deals with it, it's delved quite thoroughly into lol.
- Cinematography
I love the house, and I love the camera work, costumes, frames, weather – everything; the visuals are impeccable. I also love comparing part 1 and part 2 in style and cinematography, which is also why I think the rewatch value should be so high.
And, while not cinematography, the audio and sensory part need a mention. Whenever the characters experience something mainly sensory, the audio is amplified and the camera focuses, giving you little else to look at. It's sort of eerie, but also drags you into the movie. The movie somehow retains its sense of class and dignity despite some of these scenes being borderline gross.
- Characters
I'm a sucker for fleshed out characters, and this is lovely. I especially love how the uncle is exactly the same in the end as in the beginning. Everything he does is so predictable to his character and a perfect embodiment of his values. Like how he rejects his Korean heritage, and insists on being as Japanese or British as he can. Everything he does can be traced back to that or the other major thing I won't spoil.
The lady Hideko is also a character I love, especially how the actress, scriptwriter and director all cooperate to make her as baby-like as possible. Especially in the bath the resemblance is striking.
All the characters are caricatures of their biggest flaws, yet still refuse to see their own shortcomings, and no one brings them to their attention. I love it.
- Humour
The humour here seems so effortless, that I sometimes wondered if it was even intended to be funny or if I'm just weird. It also feels so out of place, which makes anything 10x funnier. Kim Tae-ri is of course also naturally funny lol, she was a great casting choice.
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Park Chan Wook at his most accessible
Park Chan Wook is responsible for seminal works in the movie industry, and he is known as a plot twist deity .The genius in his works usually make for an unstable watch and most times an inaccessible moment for moviegoers but in Handmaiden he condescends to make an approachable and accessible watch. The themes of colonial Korea and the tension with Japan are enduring as well as the other themes explored that include feminism ,liberation and sexuality.
Its beautifully shot and wonderfully acted too.
I do find Park Chan Wook a bit of a difficult pill to swallow so if he is your fave then you will surely love this.
If you are just starting out in watching his films , then this is the more accessible he has and great for beginners.
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This review may contain spoilers
a must watch!
What a movie! What an experience!I loved every part of it but especially the acting. I can't believe that this is the same person that played such an innocent character in 2521. I love that actors don't just stick with one genre but explore and my oh my she's one talented actress indeed.
Furthermore, the story is just top notch. I was shocked when there was this plot twist...and also how weird that a child had to read such vulgar words, but then again it goes with the story, albeit weird. I especially loved how the men were punished at the end. I did not expect a happy ending with that poster but I was pleasantly surprised.
I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone who loves and appreciates all kinds of genres, not just romcom.
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I love this movie from the bottom of my heart
This movie has so beautiful places like the house is just so majestetic, I want that kind of house too!But the men in this movie are so annoying..
I Think I started to hate lil bit MORE men because this🥲 btw I've always hated men/boys (I have my own reasons)
Now lets speak the sex scenes in this movie!
Masterpiece.
Do I need to say something else? hmm...
The sex scenes were so beautiful and I want it too..jk jk (Or am I🤨)
If you like lesbian movies where are annoying men, beautiful sex scenes, majestetic clothes and so pretty places, this is for you!
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A few words that describes this story: Breathtaking, Mind-blowing, Plot-twist, and Psychological.
STORY:I think the title of this review says it all. This story is a Rollercoaster, so please make sure to wear your seat belt before you start the ride. I really enjoy historical and psychological movie, so I knew that I was going to enjoy the story from the start. It starts a bit slow, but it gets more and more interesting the more you watch. So, please don't drop it because of that! Give it a chance! I believe is worth it. The cinematography is beautiful. It is expected since it is a historical genre, and most of those have good cinematography. That is why I'm fond of them. You will see a lot of plot-twists in this story, so please do pay close attention and do NOT skip anything or else you will be left very confused. The plot-twists are mind-blowing to me cause I was not expecting them at all lol. It is also psychological, so do expect to see things that can be triggering, like blood, violence, sexual harassment, manipulation, and other similar things. Also, do keep in mind that this has mature content and that you will see bed scenes. I'm just warning you all ahead so that it's not too shocking lol. Anyways, the story is a bit slow, but it feels just right at the same time. And it has a happy ending! Yay! Overall, I will give the plot 8 out of 10.
CONS:
Some things I personally didn't like about the movie is how disgusting the men were, and how the mature themes were portrayed. I mean, let's be real, there are many many many men out there that are like that and it's not just fiction. This is reality. I'm not saying all men are like this of course, but let's say that a big percentage is, so this is not something unusual or rare, but it's still unlikable to me and disgusting to watch. Of course, that doesn't make it a bad movie though. As for the mature themes, what I didn't like about them is that it felt a bit unrealistic. They portrayed lesbian love scenes in a way that it felt like it was meant to be for the male view and not for the audience as a whole. It was a bit unpleasant, but not too bad to the point that you will hate it. I just think that they could have done it a bit more romantic, instead of it just being sex. This is just my personal opinion, of course. Since this is a lesbian story, the production team should have made it more romantic to portray the love between the two girls better.
ACTING / CASTING:
The casting is perfect for me. The two female leads are very beautiful and I love the chemistry between them. The acting is also amazing. They portrayed every emotion well, to the point that I even cried twice lol. The cast and acting was great, so I will give it a 9 out of 10.
MUSIC / REWATCH VALUE:
The music and soundtrack of this movie is a masterpiece. I mean, what else can I say? It is a historical movie, so it is expected to be this good. I really love it. I even found a Playlist on YouTube with the soundtracks and I couldn't help but to listen to it again because of how beautiful it is. Definitely a 8.5 out of 10 for the music. As for the rewatch value, I will give it a 7.5 out of 10. This is actually my second time watching this movie. The reason why I did it is because the first time I skipped a lot of scenes because it was slow. But after rewatching it for the second time (without skipping anything), I regret doing that. It is not worth to skip anything! If you do, you will miss out a lot of the plot. So, don't do the same mistake I did, please! I would rewatch this again to be honest, but at the same time, I believe that watching it once or twice is enough, unless you miss the story too much, haha!
Overall, I really enjoyed it. It is definitely worth to watch. I recommend it. It is a 8.5 out of 10 for me. If I'm not wrong, this movie has been dubbed in different languages too. I saw an English and a Spanish Dub. So, if you are not a big fan of reading subtitles (Not me lol!), then you can try watching the dubs that are available. Thank you for reading! <3
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My only criticisms are my own personal preferences. It is a bit too horny. And certain characters don't get as satisfying an ending as I would have liked. But this is not a rosy drama so not every plotline will be wrapped up with justice and comfort as the point. The story is more focused on being *raw* and really looking into the complex situations of the characters.
Well actually I do have one other criticism and it might be a big one, depending on how you want to look at it. But this film, at times, seems to be showing a dark side of sexual appetites and voyeurism... but doesn't the film do the exact same thing? Commodifying female sexuality for a horny ass audience... -_-
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