The Handmaid's Tale

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The Handmaid's Tale

R

1990

1h 49m

Sci-Fi

Drama

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Popcornmeter

32%

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22 Reviews

44%

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5,000+ Ratings

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.

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Natalie Diffloth

Gay Community News (Boston)

Ultimately feels like a missed opportunity.

Sep 15, 2022

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Tony M

The movie is not an accurate representation of the book, but that is not the main reason I did not care for it {I didn't care for the book either}. It's the premise. If the U.S. is ever overthrown it won't be a theocracy that does so, it will be a leftist oligarchy. I agree an oligarchy could mask itself in a cloak of theocracy, but that is not how it usually happens. The television series is a more accurate representation of the book, but I don't care for it either. For my taste this is simply not a good story.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

11/05/24

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joe d

Not Good. Acting is pretty bad.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

09/10/24

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Victoria F

I was really appalled that such cruelty, hanging, tasers etc. should be shown in a movie, often. There is no respite as one dark scene follows the next. Don't watch.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/09/24

Full Review

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

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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

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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

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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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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
Producer: Danny Wilson
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
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Surround

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