# The Handmaiden (2016) — Celluloid fact sheet

Source: https://celluloidscore.com/movies/the-handmaiden-2016/
Last reviewed: 2026-08-31

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Celluloid Score | 87% |
| Editorial Rating | 95/100 |
| Audience Snapshot | 92% (excluded from composite) |
| Metascore | 84/100 |
| Letterboxd | 4.3/5 |
| IMDb | 8.1/10 |
| Director | Park Chan-wook |
| Genres | Romance, Thriller |
| Runtime | 145 min |
| Festival premiere | Busan 2016 (Korean Cinema Today) |
| Major awards | 7 wins, 1 nominations |

## Quick answer

The Handmaiden (2016) earns a 87% Celluloid Score — Recommended. Park Chan-wook's erotic thriller is sumptuous, twisty, and brilliantly performed by its entire ensemble. Metascore 84/100. Directed by Park Chan-wook.

## Celluloid verdict

Park Chan-wook's erotic thriller is sumptuous, twisty, and brilliantly performed by its entire ensemble.

## Synopsis

A pickpocket posing as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress plots a con that becomes a labyrinth of desire, betrayal, and liberation.

## Cast

Kim Min-hee, Kim Tae-ri, Ha Jung-woo

## Accolades

Premiered at Busan 2016, where it won the Korean Cinema Today.
- Won Film Not in the English Language — BAFTA 2018
- Won Best Actress (Kim Min-hee) — Blue Dragon Film Awards 2016
- Won Best New Actress (Kim Tae-ri) — Blue Dragon Film Awards 2016
- Won Best Art Direction — Blue Dragon Film Awards 2016
- Won Best Supporting Actress (Moon So-ri) — Asian Film Awards 2017
- Won Best Newcomer (Kim Tae-ri) — Asian Film Awards 2017
- Won Best Costume Designer — Asian Film Awards 2017
- Nominated for Best Feature Film — Golden Horse Awards 2016

## Where to watch

Global: Prime Video
the United States: Prime Video
the United Kingdom: MUBI, BFI Player
Indonesia: not currently streaming
India: not currently streaming
South Korea: Netflix, TVING
Japan: U-NEXT
the Philippines: not currently streaming
Pakistan: not currently streaming
South Africa: not currently streaming
Malaysia: not currently streaming
Thailand: not currently streaming
the United Arab Emirates: not currently streaming
Nigeria: not currently streaming

## Critic reviews on Celluloid: 1

## Common questions

**Is The Handmaiden worth watching?**
The Handmaiden holds a 87% Celluloid Score. Park Chan-wook's erotic thriller is sumptuous, twisty, and brilliantly performed by its entire ensemble.

**What is The Handmaiden about?**
A pickpocket posing as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress plots a con that becomes a labyrinth of desire, betrayal, and liberation.

**Who directed The Handmaiden?**
The Handmaiden (2016) was directed by Park Chan-wook.

**What is the Celluloid Score of The Handmaiden?**
87% — calculated from available Celluloid editorial (95/100), Metascore (84/100), Letterboxd (4.3/5), and IMDb (8.1/10) inputs. Audience sentiment is excluded.

**What awards did The Handmaiden win?**
The Handmaiden won Film Not in the English Language (BAFTA 2018), Best Actress (Kim Min-hee) (Blue Dragon Film Awards 2016), Best New Actress (Kim Tae-ri) (Blue Dragon Film Awards 2016), Best Art Direction (Blue Dragon Film Awards 2016), Best Supporting Actress (Moon So-ri) (Asian Film Awards 2017), Best Newcomer (Kim Tae-ri) (Asian Film Awards 2017), Best Costume Designer (Asian Film Awards 2017), with 1 further nomination.

**Where can I watch The Handmaiden?**
The Handmaiden is streaming on Prime Video; on Prime Video in the United States; on MUBI, BFI Player in the United Kingdom; on Netflix, TVING in South Korea; on U-NEXT in Japan. Availability varies by region.

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Reviewed and scored by Celluloid · Editor: Kaiser Khan (https://celluloidscore.com/author/kaiser-khan/)

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