This version of The Housemaid is NOT a remake of the 2010 Korean film of the same English title. The plot is completely different despite the similar occupation of the two main characters.
The details of this film are deeply disturbing, from the infanticide and suicide by way of post-partum depression of Madame while left alone during war in a strange country, to the horrendous details about the murders of Vietnamese plantation workers on the same estate just a generation prior.
However, the execution is only as good as it should be. The film is beautiful and the acting is very convincing. But the horror scenes went from spooky to hokey over the course of this flick, and when I got to the excellent ending I honestly wondered if all of the sex scenes were even necessary. Described as a "bloodcurdling, erotic tour-de-force" the truth of the matter is the erotic elements of this film are exploitative and icky in context of the narrative. Unlike the 2010 Korean version of The Housemaid (which has an entirely different plot) the affair between the poor, wretched girl and the older wealthy man is more enraging and gross than erotic.
The details of this film are deeply disturbing, from the infanticide and suicide by way of post-partum depression of Madame while left alone during war in a strange country, to the horrendous details about the murders of Vietnamese plantation workers on the same estate just a generation prior.
However, the execution is only as good as it should be. The film is beautiful and the acting is very convincing. But the horror scenes went from spooky to hokey over the course of this flick, and when I got to the excellent ending I honestly wondered if all of the sex scenes were even necessary. Described as a "bloodcurdling, erotic tour-de-force" the truth of the matter is the erotic elements of this film are exploitative and icky in context of the narrative. Unlike the 2010 Korean version of The Housemaid (which has an entirely different plot) the affair between the poor, wretched girl and the older wealthy man is more enraging and gross than erotic.