The Handmaiden (film)

"The Handmaiden" is a 2016 South Korean film directed by Park Chan-wook, inspired by the novel "Fingersmith" by Sarah Waters. Set in the 1930s during the Japanese occupation of Korea, it follows a conman who hires a pickpocket to help him swindle a wealthy heiress. However, as the plot unfolds, unexpected twists and romantic entanglements emerge, particularly between the heiress and the handmaiden. The film is acclaimed for its intricate storytelling, lush cinematography, and exploration of themes like deception, sexuality, and power dynamics, ultimately revealing deeper connections and secrets among its characters.