10 Best Movies Like The Handmaiden (Ranked & Where to Watch)

Long before "The Handmaiden" captivated audiences with its Korean historical setting and intricate web of deceit, E J-yong's "Untold Scandal" offered a similarly opulent and psychologically rich narrative. Set in 18th-century Korea, it masterfully blends aristocratic manipulation with a sensual, dangerous game of seduction. Like Park Chan-wook's masterpiece, this film features cunning female characters navigating a patriarchal society, using their wits and allure to challenge societal norms. The opulent costumes, sumptuous production design, and the morally ambiguous protagonists who revel in their power games make it an essential watch for anyone seeking a film that mirrors "The Handmaiden's" thematic depth and visual splendor. It's a prime example of Korean cinema's ability to craft elegant yet subversive period dramas.

Peter Strickland's "The Duke of Burgundy" is a hypnotic, aesthetically singular film that resonates deeply with "The Handmaiden's" exploration of female relationships and power dynamics within a meticulously crafted, insular world. It delves into the intricate sadomasochistic rituals between Cynthia and Evelyn, two women whose roles of mistress and maid blur the lines of desire and control. While its setting is contemporary and surreal rather than historical, the film shares a similar visual opulence, psychological intensity, and a focus on the performative aspects of identity and relationships. Its 'gl' themes are central, portraying a complex lesbian romance where love and manipulation are inextricably intertwined, making it a compelling, albeit stylistically distinct, companion piece.

Karel Reisz's "The French Lieutenant's Woman" is a sophisticated period drama that shares "The Handmaiden's" fascination with forbidden love, social constraints, and the enigmatic allure of a strong, unconventional female lead. Meryl Streep delivers a powerful performance as Sarah Woodruff, the mysterious woman who defies Victorian society's expectations. The film employs a captivating meta-narrative structure, weaving a contemporary love story around the historical drama, mirroring "The Handmaiden's" layered storytelling and unreliable perspectives. Its lush visuals, intellectual depth, and exploration of female desire within a restrictive era make it a classic choice for viewers drawn to complex historical romances with a psychological edge.

Chloe Domont's "Fair Play" is a blistering, modern-day psychological thriller that perfectly encapsulates the themes of power, betrayal, and manipulation found in "The Handmaiden," albeit transposed to the cutthroat world of finance. When an unexpected promotion disrupts the relationship of an engaged couple, their love transforms into a brutal battle for dominance, echoing the insidious power plays and hidden agendas that drive Park Chan-wook's film. The intense, claustrophobic atmosphere and the escalating psychological warfare between the protagonists offer a contemporary parallel to the intricate deceptions of the past. It's a film that resonates with the raw, unsettling energy of a thriller, making it a strong recommendation for fans of both "The Handmaiden" and "Parasite."

Michael Cristofer's "Original Sin" plunges into a world of intense passion, deception, and the allure of a dangerous femme fatale, much like the central dynamics of "The Handmaiden." Starring Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas, this period piece (set in 19th-century Cuba) follows a wealthy coffee magnate who falls prey to a woman whose true identity is shrouded in mystery and deceit. The film revels in its steamy atmosphere, intricate plot twists, and the psychological games played by its lead characters, particularly the manipulative, captivating female protagonist. It's a journey into obsessive love and betrayal where nothing is as it seems, a hallmark shared with Park Chan-wook's narrative complexity.

"Below Her Mouth" offers a raw, unfiltered, and deeply sensual exploration of a passionate lesbian love affair, providing a direct connection for viewers specifically drawn to the 'wlw' romance elements in "The Handmaiden." The film eschews the intricate plotting of Park Chan-wook's work, instead focusing on the immediate, visceral connection between two women whose lives unexpectedly intersect. While lacking the historical grandeur, its strength lies in its explicit and authentic portrayal of female desire and connection, offering a powerful, emotional narrative that resonates with the intense romantic and sexual chemistry seen in "The Handmaiden." It’s a bold, unapologetic portrayal of modern love.

Set in the decadent world of colonial Kenya in the 1940s, "White Mischief" exudes an atmosphere of illicit desires, hidden scandals, and simmering tension reminiscent of "The Handmaiden's" portrayal of high society's dark underbelly. When a glamorous socialite arrives among British expatriates, a web of adultery and hedonism leads to a mysterious murder. The film shares a lavish period setting and a focus on characters entangled in dangerous liaisons and moral ambiguity. While less about direct psychological manipulation, its exploration of scandal, class divides, and the consequences of unrestrained passion offers a compelling narrative for those who appreciate the intoxicating danger within a beautiful, yet corrupt, world.

"Asylum," directed by David Mackenzie, delves into a gothic psychological drama where forbidden desire and dangerous obsessions blur the lines of morality and sanity, a thematic resonance with the intense psychological undercurrents of "The Handmaiden." Set in the 1950s, the film follows a psychiatrist's wife who becomes dangerously infatuated with one of her husband's patients—a man imprisoned for disfiguring his own wife. The atmosphere is one of claustrophobic tension and suppressed desires, mirroring the confinement and hidden passions within the mansion in "The Handmaiden." Its exploration of forbidden love, infidelity, and the unraveling of psychological stability makes it a compelling, darker watch.

Ken Russell's "Crimes of Passion" is a provocative and psychologically intense film that shares "The Handmaiden's" willingness to explore transgressive sexuality and dual identities. Joanna Crane, a successful fashion designer, secretly moonlights as a prostitute named China Blue, embodying a fascinating dichotomy of public respectability and private indulgence. This exploration of a woman's hidden life and the psychological unraveling that ensues echoes the intricate secrets and performative roles played by characters in "The Handmaiden." The film's bold, often confrontational, approach to sexuality and its dive into the darker facets of human desire make it a controversial yet thematically rich choice for fans of complex character studies.

David Cronenberg's "Crash" is a challenging, deeply unsettling film that pushes boundaries of sexuality and human connection, much like "The Handmaiden" dares to explore unconventional desires. While vastly different in setting and narrative, "Crash" shares a profound psychological depth and an unflinching look at transgressive eroticism. It follows a group of individuals who find sexual gratification in car crashes and the associated injuries, exploring themes of fetishism, alienation, and the reconstruction of identity through extreme experience. For viewers who appreciated "The Handmaiden's" audacious and often shocking exploration of human desire and its darker psychological undercurrents, "Crash" offers an equally potent, albeit more jarring, cinematic experience.