The Handmaiden (2016)

Synopsis

1930s Korea, in the period of Japanese occupation, a new girl, Sook-hee, is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress, Hideko, who lives a secluded life on a large countryside estate with her domineering Uncle Kouzuki. But the maid has a secret. She is a pickpocket recruited by a swindler posing as a Japanese Count to help him seduce the Lady to steal her fortune.

Watch the trailer

Where to watch

Stream

• Amazon Prime Video

Rent

• Fandango At Home

Streaming availability via JustWatch

Cast

• Kim Min-hee as Lady Hideko
• Kim Tae-ri as Sook-hee
• Ha Jung-woo as Count Fujiwara
• Cho Jin-woong as Uncle Kouzuki
• Kim Hae-sook as Ms. Sasaki
• Moon So-ri as Hideko's Aunt
• Lee Yong-nyeo as Bok-soon
• Kwak Eun-jin as Kkeut-dan
• Lee Dong-hwi as Goo-gai
• Jo Eun-hyung as Young Hideko

If you liked The Handmaiden, try

• Fifty Shades Freed
• Obsessed
• Eyes Wide Shut
• Unfaithful
• Addicted
• Below Her Mouth
• Original Sin
• Crash

BingeNext's take

If you’re in the mood for a gripping thriller with layers of drama and romance, The Handmaiden is a fantastic choice. Set in 1930s Korea during the Japanese occupation, it follows Sook-hee, a new handmaiden with a hidden agenda, as she gets tangled in a risky plan involving a Japanese heiress named Hideko. The film’s slow-building tension and intricate relationships make it feel like you’re stepping into a world full of secrets and unexpected twists. With strong performances from Kim Min-hee and Kim Tae-ri, it’s perfect for anyone who enjoys stories where nothing is quite what it seems and emotions run deep. Watching it feels like being drawn into a beautifully crafted, intense experience that keeps you guessing until the very end. If you liked movies like Eyes Wide Shut or Obsessed, this one will definitely keep you hooked.