Film of the Day: "The Handmaiden" — Ready for a Story Where No One Is Who They Seem?

Have you ever watched a movie that makes you want to hit pause—just to linger on a single frame? "The Handmaiden" is exactly that kind of film.

But don't even think about hitting pause: this story hooks you from the first minutes and leads you through layers of passion, betrayal, and double-crosses with such mastery that you simply can't look away.

Released in 2016, this South Korean film by director Park Chan-wook isn't just a thriller. It's an elegant three-act performance where each act reveals a new truth while shattering all your previous assumptions. The plot draws inspiration from Sarah Waters' novel "Fingersmith," but transplants the action to 1930s Korea during the Japanese occupation.
Two girls in black clothing, one of whom is resting her head on the other's shoulder
Scene from the film "The Handmaiden"
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The main character is a girl named Sook-hee (Kim Tae-ri), who takes a job as a handmaiden to wealthy Japanese lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee). Her mission isn't to serve, but to infiltrate, gain trust, and help a con artist "count" deceive and rob her mistress.

But everything goes off-script: instead of schemes and intrigue, something far more dangerous emerges — feelings. Real, piercing, forbidden ones.

Every scene here is calibrated to perfection: from hand movements to the rustle of silk. This is cinema where explicit scenes interweave with psychology, and visual beauty doesn't mask the drama but amplifies it. And while the film might feel too slow or ornate at times — stick with it. The payoff will be generous.
Girl in blue clothing running with a folder in her hands and movie poster with two girls with an umbrella
Scene and poster from the film "The Handmaiden"
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The Handmaiden isn't a movie for background viewing. This is cinema for an evening when you're ready to fully immerse yourself in the story, in its twists and deceptions, in its pain and pleasure.

If you love unconventional dramas with gorgeous cinematography, strong female characters, and unexpected turns — The Handmaiden should top your list. There's a reason the film boasts a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many critics calling the film a Park Chan-wook masterpiece that's truly magnificent on multiple levels. Earlier on zoomboola.com, we covered the film Dark Waters — a true story that'll make you think twice about every drop of water.