The Housemaid is a Korean re-make of a Korean film that takes a decidedly nasty look at the bizarre and dangerous fantasy land of which the ultra rich inhabit. Eun-yi is hired by an obscenely rich couple to be an au pair for the wife, Hae Ra who is pregnant and extremely needy. The husband, Hoon is also very needy, and after working hard all day expects a certain something from his wife. Something that the very pregnant Hae ra isn’t quite forthcoming with.
Turning his attention elsewhere Hoon starts to secretly flirt with Eun-yi, leading to a seduction with wine where Hae Ra inexplicably embraces the opportunity with rampant hunger.
The film gets weirder as Hoon and Hae Ra continue their affair, but it doesn’t go unnoticed and soon things take some strange and very ugly turns. To say anymore would be to spoil the experience.
The Housemaid is a compelling story that looks at the power of wealth and it’s limitations, at a societal hierarchy that seeks to put people in their place and the power of an individual to rebel against the system.
It’s both a fascinating journey and also a flawed experience, with a few jumps of logic and a bizarre ending, but non-the-less, a worthy way to spend an evening on the couch for fans of foreign films. FILMGUIDE rating: Reviewed by: Jonathan Read
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