The recipe for this film: induce random conflicts for the sole purpose to set up meaningless plot twist after plot twist, a sprinkle of symbolism here and there, various graphic acts with a touch of unusual characters in equally bizarre costumes, and all neatly packaged with a final comical, voyeuristic homoerotic act.
With some reflection, it is clear to us that each ingredient was tactfully manufactured to artificially arouse the audience with shock value. And perhaps it is only these scenes, and not the story as a whole, that the audience will remember. Yet, keener eyes will not succumb to such parlor tricks. Despite the tight script, the screenplay itself was contrived and unnatural. The movie was a boisterous performance to posturize Park's chops as an experienced director and a film enthusiast, but not as a storyteller. The film had every element of becoming great story but resorts to tawdry gimmicks. All in all, The Handmaiden, although technically better filmed, is a far cry from Park Chan Wook's earlier notable works, which seamlessly showed originality and a honest exploration of life's gravitas.