Watch The Handmaid's Tale

In a dystopian society where fertility is rare and most women are infertile, the government has created a new order, where powerful men called 'commanders' can have a handmaid to bear a child for them. The Handmaid's Tale, directed by Volker Schlöndorff, is a harrowing adaptation of Margaret Atwood's novel of the same name.

Natasha Richardson puts on a captivating performance as Offred, a handmaid, who is forced to bear children for her commander, played by Robert Duvall. The film follows Offred as she navigates the oppressive regime, surrounded by the watchful and calculating eyes of the commander's wives, played by Faye Dunaway and Elizabeth McGovern. The movie is set in a bleak, post-apocalyptic world that is shrouded in a perpetual chill, with Offred navigating her world while struggling to keep her sanity while yearning for her lost life.

The world portrayed in The Handmaid's Tale is disturbingly plausible, chillingly prophetic, and absolutely riveting. The film portrays a nightmare vision of the future, where women are stripped of their autonomy and dehumanized into fertility machines. The film is a haunting portrayal of a society that is all too familiar in the present day, where women's rights are constantly under threat, and patriarchal norms dictate daily life.

The Handmaid's Tale is a visually stunning film, with the bleakness of the cinematography matching the dark and unyielding nature of the film's themes. Schlöndorff's careful direction creates an atmosphere of tension that slowly builds towards a devastating final act.

One of the strongest points of the film is its portrayal of female relationships in oppressive societies, which is one of the key themes of Atwood's novel. Natasha Richardson and Faye Dunaway have incredible chemistry as the handmaid and the commander's wife, respectively. The tension between them is palpable, and their complex relationship provides one of the most compelling aspects of the film. This relationship is symbolic of the complex emotional web women in oppressive societies weave, where they must navigate the trauma and violence that is forced upon them while still trying to find moments of light.

The score of the movie, composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto, is absolutely perfect, adding a subtle layer of tension that underlies every scene. Sakamoto's score is haunting and unforgettable, and it is very much integral to the overall atmosphere of the film.

The Handmaid's Tale is a must-watch film for anyone who is interested in dystopian literature and the portrayal of women in oppressive societies. It is a powerful film that underscores the importance of women's autonomy in society and the dangers of oppressive and patriarchal norms. The Handmaid's Tale is a dystopian masterpiece that is as relevant today as it was when it was released in 1990.

The Handmaid's Tale is a 1990 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 53.