The Handmaid's Tale

R

1990

1 hr. 49 min.

Sci-Fi

Drama

List

32%

22 Reviews

Tomatometer

43%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In a futuristic, theocratic and dystopian United States, Offred (Natasha Richardson) is forced to become a handmaid -- a sexual slave that serves as a surrogate for couples who desire children but who are unable to have them themselves. She works for the cold Serena (Faye Dunaway) and her cruel husband, the commander (Robert Duvall). Offred is in love with the commander's chauffeur Nick (Aidan Quinn) and must find a way to bear a child before she is shipped off to the wastelands.

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Georgan G

This uninteresting plot is boring despite being my favorite genre - dystopian fiction. Other versions are much better, so I have to conclude this movie has poor writing, acting and cinematography.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/02/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A decent adaption but because is a shorten version a lot of important stuff is left out.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The movie was lacking of a lot of small but important points form the book Offred was lacking of pain of being away of her family She was not a strong as she was described in the book The clothing lacked a lot of details Offred was not a killer or joined mayday. Marthas were not even important at all in the movie Cora was hardly mentioned once The good thing about the movie was the commander and Serena appeared very similar to the book The other handmaids including Moira were exactly placed as the book.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It wasn't the best movie I've seen, but it also wasn't the worst. The story doesn't completely follow the book, which kind of annoyed me a bit but oh well.. It's just a meh kind of movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The book was better than the movie; It went into more detail and explained the importance of the rituals, while the movie left that out. Offred's life before becoming a handmaid was never shown in the movie. There was a lot from the book that was left out.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

After reading the book and then watching the movie. I have to say that I enjoyed reading the book more than, watching the movie. I found zero excitement in the movie. However, the movie did have all the essential parts in it and it did give the audience closure with the ending, whereas in the book it didn't.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

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Volker Schlöndorff

Director

Natasha Richardson

Kate

Robert Duvall

Commander

Faye Dunaway

Serena Joy

Aidan Quinn

Nick

Elizabeth McGovern

Moira

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Elisabeth Moss, Alexis Bledel, and Joseph Fiennes Reveal 8 Ways The Handmaid’s Tale Brings the Book to Life

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

The early '90s were also not exactly a robust period in political cinema, and the influence of the Moral Majority - so clearly felt in Atwood's text - wasn't as pronounced in the Bush I White House as it had been in Reagan's. But, sadly, it sure is now.

May 6, 2017

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

The Handmaid’s Tale is a tract that strives for sensitivity- it lacks even the courage of its own misanthropy.

Rated: C-

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

At the end of the movie we are conscious of large themes and deep thoughts, and of good intentions drifting out of focus.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Terry Francis

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

The film raises grave issues without really dealing with them, and the result is a work that's thematically shallow. But it has power.

Rated: 2.5/4

May 9, 2023

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

I do not dare reccomend this, but I don't ever regret having seen it. [Full review in Spanish]

Dec 2, 2022

Full Review

Natalie Diffloth

Gay Community News (Boston)

Ultimately feels like a missed opportunity.

Sep 15, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

In a futuristic, theocratic and dystopian United States, Offred (Natasha Richardson) is forced to become a handmaid -- a sexual slave that serves as a surrogate for couples who desire children but who are unable to have them themselves. She works for the cold Serena (Faye Dunaway) and her cruel husband, the commander (Robert Duvall). Offred is in love with the commander's chauffeur Nick (Aidan Quinn) and must find a way to bear a child before she is shipped off to the wastelands.

Director: Volker Schlöndorff
Executive Producer: Wolfgang Glattes
Screenwriter: Harold Pinter
Production Co: Bioskop Film, Cinétudes Films, Cinecom Entertainment Group
Rating: R
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 14, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.2M
Sound Mix: Surround

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