The Handmaiden
In Japanese-occupied Korea, a conman operating under the alias “Count Fujiwara” devises a scheme to seduce and marry a Japanese heiress named Lady Hideko, with the intention of committing her to an asylum to steal her inheritance. To facilitate this plan, he hires Sook-hee, a young pickpocket, to become Hideko’s maid and encourage her to marry him.
As Sook-hee integrates into Hideko’s household, she discovers that Hideko lives under the oppressive control of her uncle, Kouzuki, a Korean man who collaborates with the Japanese occupiers and has a disturbing obsession with rare books. Sook-hee’s primary duty is to assist Hideko in preparing for readings that Kouzuki hosts for his guests.
During this period, Sook-hee and Hideko develop a complex relationship that evolves into a romantic and sexual bond. This unexpected connection leads to a series of double-crosses and shifting alliances, as both women seek to liberate themselves from the manipulative men controlling their lives.
The narrative unfolds in three parts, each offering different perspectives and revealing hidden motives, culminating in a gripping and intricate tale of deception, love, and empowerment.
The Handmaiden received widespread critical acclaim for its direction, performances, and visual style, and it won the Best Film Not in the English Language at the 71st British Academy Film Awards.