The Handmaiden (2016)

The most exciting movie I've watched in a long time... I've never felt this kind of emotion towards a film before, you need to watch this.

⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆// 5 STARS

Director: Park Chan-Wook

Where to Watch: I watched on Amazon with a free 30 day trial.

Google User Rating: 89% liked this movie!

"You can even curse at me or steal things from me. But please don't lie to me. Understand?" (Hideko)

P.S. This movie has a male director, HOWEVER, this movie is based off a book written by a lesbian author... so I'M COUNTING IT! Fun fact, this movie essentially the book, but with a culture swap, as the director, of course, is Korean and the author is... not. She's white. Don't know what kind of white though. There is actually a mini series that's 100% true to the book, I will most likely review it later!

P.S.S. The movie is in Japanese! Myflixer and 123movies both has screwed up subtitles (they were very delayed), so I really recommend using that Amazon Prime 30 day free trial!

Quick Synopsis

Alright, I'm writing this last because I wanted to get my feelings out for the review, but here's a quick summary to get you hooked! I'm not even going to name names here because things get complicated fast... but basically a woman who's a thief partners with a man who's a crook to scam this rich woman into marrying the crook and then send the rich woman to an insane asylum, leaving her inheritance to be split with the thief and the

crook (that was a mouthful). As this is a drama AND romance, of course the rich woman and thief fall in love. So, will the thief choose her, or her money? Watch to find out! I promise it's about 1000% times more complicated than that, after all, the movie is 2 hrs and 20 minutes... but that's all I can reveal without spoiling anything. I promise you'll love it, it's an absolute monster of a movie in the best way possible. Also hot women, what's not to love!

Official Review

Guys, it is 2:10 AM and I just finished this movie and I'm floored. I'm writing the review first to make sure I capture my feelings as fresh as possible (fresh? haha). I genuinely have never watched a movie that toyed with my emotions this much, it was a literal roller coaster, my stomach is in knots and my jaw is open. But let's begin. The easiest thing I can comment on is the fashion and culture. The outfits are so beautiful and extravagant, the

architecture is vintage and gorgeous, the natural settings are magnificent. Aesthetically, this movie is a 10. It's also kind of funny? Not sure why, but they added some humor in it every once in a while and it's kind of fucking hilarious. Let's talk about the sex scenes, as this is a highly erotic movie. For whatever reason, personally I would have preferred more, um, dramatic sex scenes? With close ups and movie editing and stuff, but hey just raw doggin' it works too! The actresses have amazing chemistry in my opinion, so much so that it's always so disappointing when the

actresses don't end up being lesbians. So sad, but so often true. Kind of kinky too? But not too much, still really hot. 8/10 sex scenes HA. The best part of this movie, however, was the plot. I was torn at first, and so disappointed, because as I've said time and time again, movies with lesbians ALWAYS end up with a bad ending, please GOD please I just wanted one happy ending. But the entire movie was yes! No! Yes! No! Sad! Happy! Sad! Happy! It basically flips you on your ass five times and you are never prepared for what happens next. It is, of course, a psychological thriller. Lesbian relationship wise, PERFECT. I was so upset when I found out the director was a male because I always think, "there's no way a male can possibly replicate a lesbian relationship," but damn it I was wrong. For the most part at least, was it perfect? No, but was it so. Damn. Good? Yes! I can't and won't spoil anything, but their relationship is realistic enough where it get's my stamp of approval. Guys, I am so happy with this movie, I cannot rave about it enough but everyone has to watch it so they can talk to me about it! It's amazing. Hella weird, crazy, disturbing, and emotional. But 100% flawless in it's own special way.

Cast/Heartthrobs

The two leading ladies are played by Kim Tae-ri (thief) and Kim Min-hee (rich lady). Min-hee is literally stunning, she has a bit of a unique look? Love her, and Tae-ri is more adorable than hot sometimes, she plays the more naive character so they can't make her look like a seductress, but still super beautiful and sweet. Like I mentioned, I love their chemistry and they're both such great actors, everyone in this movie is, even the crook! They do a phenomenal job.