The Handmaiden: A Tale of Resistance and Love
By Michelle Young, Co-Editor-in-Chief. Content warning: Japanese imperialism, grooming.
Park Chan-Wook's filmography is filled with critical acclaim, including recent releases like No Other Choice (2025) and notable works such as Decision to Leave (2022) and Oldboy (2003).
However, The Handmaiden (2016) remains a favorite, a psychological thriller that explores colonialism, patriarchy, and queerness.
The film opens with the Imperial Japanese Army marching into a small alleyway in colonial Korea, setting the tone for the rest of the movie.
Author's summary: The Handmaiden is a psychological thriller exploring resistance and love.