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The Housemaid
하녀
2010 107 min South Korea 18+
★6.6
Thriller, Drama
Director: Im Sang-soo
🎭 Based on
«The Housemaid»
Trailers
Description
Eun-yi is hired as a maid in a mansion owned by a wealthy businessman. He quickly starts seducing his employee who seemingly has little choice but to comply with his sexual advances. Soon the women of the family plot against Eun-yi who must fight an equally devious battle to protect herself.
Budget:
$4M
US Gross:
$157,961
Starring
Jeon Do-yeon
Actor
Lee Jung-jae
Actor
Youn Yuh-jung
Actor
Awards
Asian Film Academy 2011
— Best Supporting Actress
Cannes Film Festival 2010
— Palme d'Or
Asian Film Academy 2011
— Best Costume Design
Asian Film Academy 2011
— Best Actress
Key opinion
Im Sang-soo's remake of 'The Housemaid' is a visually polished exploration of class dynamics and domestic betrayal that divides audiences between those who appreciate its aesthetic density and those who find it superficial. While the film is praised for its elegant production design and atmospheric tension, it is frequently criticized for lacking the psychological depth and narrative impact of the 1960 original.
| Cinematography | The film features exquisite, lush cinematography and sophisticated production design that create an immersive, albeit cold, atmosphere. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative structure and character motivations are frequently described as simplistic or underdeveloped, failing to provide meaningful insight into the domestic tragedy. | |
| Theme | Opinions on the film's thematic depth are divided: some view it as a biting, symbolic allegory of class exploitation, while others dismiss the social critique as hollow, tawdry, or poorly executed. | |
| Ending | Critics and viewers are split on the ending: some find the climactic resolution striking and memorable, while others perceive it as absurd, overly dramatic, or tonally mismatched with the preceding narrative. | |
| Adaptation | As a remake, the film is polarized; proponents argue it is a fresh, perverse take on the classic story, while detractors feel it strips away the psychological tension of the original, leaving behind a superficial stylistic exercise. |