The Handmaid's Tale | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

32% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 44% Popcornmeter 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.

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The Handmaid's Tale

Critics Reviews

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The Handmaid's Tale | Rotten Tomatoes (1) 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 The Handmaid's Tale | Rotten Tomatoes (2) 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 The Handmaid's Tale | Rotten Tomatoes (3) 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 The Handmaid's Tale | Rotten Tomatoes (4) 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 The Handmaid's Tale | Rotten Tomatoes (5) 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 The Handmaid's Tale | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Natalie Diffloth Gay Community News (Boston) Ultimately feels like a missed opportunity. Sep 15, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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joe d Not Good. Acting is pretty bad. Rated 1.5/5 Stars • Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 09/10/24 Full Review 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 1/5 Stars • 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 2/5 Stars • 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 3/5 Stars • 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 bookOffred was lacking of pain of being away of her familyShe was not a strong as she was described in the bookThe clothing lacked a lot of detailsOffred was not a killer or joined mayday.Marthas were not even important at all in the movie Cora was hardly mentioned onceThe good thing about the movie was the commander and Serena appeared very similar to the bookThe other handmaids including Moira were exactly placed as the book. Rated 3/5 Stars • 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 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Volker Schlöndorff Director Natasha Richardson Kate Robert Duvall Commander Faye Dunaway Serena Joy Aidan Quinn Nick Elizabeth McGovern Moira
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The Handmaid's Tale

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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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