The Housemaid

At the heart of a grand Seoul mansion, a young woman named Eun-yi takes a housekeeping job in a household owned by a wealthy, demanding businessman. The position seems straightforward until the boss turns his attention toward her, crossing lines of propriety with subtle touches and insinuations. As money and power circulate around the family, the dynamic between employer and employee becomes a volatile game in which desire clashes with fear and social boundaries. The wife and other relatives respond with schemes and surveillance, and Eun-yi finds herself navigating a maze of manipulation aimed at protecting her own dignity while keeping her job. The tension tightens as secrets press inward. The film keeps a focus on the cost of ambition.

Released in 2010, the film was directed by Im Sang-soo, known for provocative takes on Korean society. It is a bold remake of Kim Ki-young's 1960 classic, updated with a glossy style and a sharper focus on power. Stylistic shift.

Critics highlighted Jeon Do-yeon and Lee Jung-jae for delivering tense, controlled performances that anchor the film's uneasy mood. The narrative probes class tension, gender dynamics, and the ethics of desire, presenting a world where appearance masks exploitation and moral boundaries blur under pressure, and the film's slow pacing builds dread.

The remake sparked lively debate about consent and power in modern Korean cinema, drawing attention to the stamina of a classic premise repackaged for a contemporary audience. Its lush production and unflinching gaze influenced later thrillers that fuse social critique with intimate, destabilizing scenes and consequences for curious viewers everywhere.

Box office details for The Housemaid are not widely documented, but the film drew attention at international festivals and sparked ongoing discussions about its explicit scenes and performances, which critics referenced in year-end lists. International reception sustained interest for months.