This Hulu original series adapted from the award-winning 1985 novel by Margaret Atwood tells a dystopian story of a future in which ecological disaster renders the majority of women infertile and a fundamentalist group imposes totalitarian rule in a section of the United States they rename Gilead. Women no longer have any rights and fertile women are made "Handmaids" of the ruling elite, forced to bear the children of their jailers. Elisabeth Moss stars as "Offred" (her slave name, you might say: she is "of Fred"), captured while attempting to flee with her husband and young daughter, and assigned to Fred Waterford (Joseph Fiennes), a commander in the ruthless Gilead government married to the powerful but barren Serena (Yvonne Stahovski). Flashbacks show life before the collapse and the rise of the fascist government that uses scripture to justify chauvinistic rule. Atwood’s novel was adapted into a 1990 feature film but the Hulu series is a richer, more nuanced take that embraces the book’s bitter social commentary and themes of resistance and defiance while also reflecting disturbing currents of religious fundamentalism and nationalism witnessed today. The Handmaid’s Tale won eight Emmy Awards, including outstanding drama series and awards for directing, writing, and lead actress Moss. Presenting all 10 episodes from the 2017 debut season, extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (S. Axmaker)
The Handmaid's Tale: Season One
Fox, 3 discs, 525 min., not rated, DVD: $19.99, Blu-ray: $29.99 Volume 33, Issue 4
The Handmaid's Tale: Season One
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