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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of The Handmaid's Tale (1990). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


The film begins with a haunting view of a snow-covered mountain landscape, accompanied by the words: “Once upon a time in the recent future a country went wrong. The country was called The Republic of Gilead.” A woman, Natasha Richardson, along with her husband and child, navigates through the treacherous terrain towards the border of Gilead. When cornered by guards, her husband valiantly attempts to distract them, resulting in his tragic death as Kate is captured and forcefully separated from her daughter.

The narrative swiftly shifts to a city street scene, where groups of women, including Kate, are unloaded from trucks and herded into a facility. Trucks labeled with various oppressive terms also deliver men and people of color, all organized by categories such as race and gender. As fate would have it, the women are identified based on their fertility, and one woman, upon receiving a negative fertility report, protests and is brutally taken away. Infertile women are packed into a truck with a grotesque label of “116 female”, a chilling reminder of their grim reality as they desperately wave for help.

Upon arrival at their new prison, they meet Victoria Tennant, known as Aunt Lydia—a grim authority figure overseeing the Handmaids. The women are then transported to the Red Center, where windows are painted over to block their view of the outside world. During the journey, Kate converses with Elizabeth McGovern, who plays Moira, and they share their experiences leading to their imprisonment. Moira reveals her identity as a lesbian, a condition that could lead to execution in this oppressive regime. After arriving at the Red Center, the horror continues as they face punishment and brainwashing, learning lies about their bodies, and witnessing the devastating repercussions of rebellion.

At this infamous center, Kate has flashbacks to her daughter as she tries to grasp the new rules of her existence among the Aunts, who impose strict behavioral regulations. As night falls, Kate and Moira dream of escape and plot a rebellion. However, their hopes become increasingly dire as they are forced into rigid roles. Aunt Lydia’s cruel treatment and degrading education on womanhood weigh heavily on them, reminding them constantly of their loss and subjugation.

As time passes, Kate becomes Robert Duvall’s character’s Handmaid and is renamed Offred. Within the confines of the Commander’s home, she must navigate the precarious balance of power, surviving the oppressive Yoke of the Wives like Faye Dunaway while maintaining her humanity. Meanwhile, cable news broadcasts cheer about the Republic’s vision, casting Handmaids as the nation’s most valued asset.

Throughout her tenure as Offred, Kate yearns for her past. In moments of quiet, she shares passionate encounters with Nick, a driver played by Aidan Quinn. Their bond becomes a source of solace and rebellion against the regime’s oppressive structure. As she realizes the depth of her feelings for him, the story explores the morally gray areas of loyalty and survival amidst a heartless system, where individual worth is determined solely by one’s ability to reproduce.

The climax erupts during an emotionally draining “salvaging,” where Handmaids are coerced into carrying out violent penalties against transgressors. As Kate becomes increasingly rebellious, her resolve solidifies with each harrowing event around her, leading her to face difficult decisions that will determine not just her fate, but the destiny of her unborn child as well.

In a daring twist, the narrative veers toward resistance as the truth of Mayday—a rebel group—unfolds. Kate ultimately takes the last step toward liberation by killing her Commander. With the shocking revelation of the rebels coming to her aid, she escapes the clutches of Gilead.

The film closes with Kate, now highly pregnant, reflecting on her uncertain future as she finds safety with the rebels in the mountains. Her poignant voiceover captures a mixture of hope and despair: “I don’t know if this is the end for me or a new beginning but I’m safe here in the mountains held by the rebels…” “I wait for my baby to be born into a different world. I still dream about Jill…” The haunting reality of a mother separated from her child lingers, yet a glimmer of hope shines through her determination to reunite with her daughter, feeding a dream of love and freedom amidst a world that has tried to strip it away.

Timeline

Track the key events of The Handmaid's Tale (1990) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Gilead's Formation

The film opens with a somber proclamation about the Republic of Gilead, depicting a future where society has crumbled. The narration sets a dark tone, indicating that the country has deviated from its moral path and established an oppressive regime.

Mountain Landscape

The Escape Attempt

Kate, alongside her husband and child, navigates the perilous mountain terrain in an attempt to escape Gilead. Tragically, her husband is killed while trying to distract guards, leading to Kate's capture and the horrifying separation from her daughter.

Snow-covered Mountains

Arrival at the Facility

After being captured, Kate and other women are trucked into a facility where they are categorized based on their fertility. The harsh reality of their situation becomes apparent when a woman protests her infertility, only to be violently taken away by guards.

Facility

Introduction to Aunt Lydia

Upon arriving at their new prison, the women meet Aunt Lydia, who represents the regime's authority over them. She introduces them to the brutal rules of the Handmaids, laying the groundwork for the psychological and physical oppression they will face.

Red Center

The Red Center

The women are transported to the Red Center, a place designed for their indoctrination. As windows are painted over, Kate and Moira share their stories, revealing their past lives and the stark realities of their new identities as Handmaids.

Red Center

Living as Offred

Kate takes on the new identity of Offred as she becomes a Handmaid in the household of her Commander. This role requires her to navigate a treacherous social dynamic, balancing the oppressive authority of the Wives while struggling to maintain her own sense of self.

Commander's Home

Forbidden Romance

Within the confines of the Commander's home, Kate develops a passionate relationship with Nick, the driver. This bond offers her a glimmer of hope and emotional support, allowing her to push back against the oppressive structures surrounding her.

Commander's Home

Salvaging Ceremony

During a grim 'salvaging' event, the Handmaids are coerced into carrying out violent punishments against those who defy the regime. This harrowing experience intensifies Kate's rebellious spirit and reinforces her will to survive and find freedom.

Salvaging Site

Turning Point

As Kate grows increasingly defiant, she learns about Mayday, a rebel group opposing the regime. This pivotal moment ignites her desire for resistance and sparks a plan for liberation that will reshape her fate.

Red Center

The Act of Resistance

In a shocking twist, Kate takes the ultimate step towards freedom by killing her Commander. This brutal act represents her rejection of oppression and becomes a beacon of hope for her future escape.

Commander's Home

Escaping Gilead

With the rebels arriving to assist her, Kate manages to escape from Gilead. This moment marks a significant shift in her journey, as she takes her first steps towards liberation and a chance for a new life.

Mountains

Reflecting on the Future

Now pregnant and safe with the rebels, Kate contemplates her uncertain future. Her voiceover expresses a profound mix of hope and despair as she waits for her baby to be born, yearning to reunite with her lost daughter.

Rebels' Camp

The Haunting Memories

Kate's reflections are haunted by memories of her daughter, whom she has been forcibly separated from. Despite the oppressive weight of her past, she holds onto a dream of love and freedom in a world that has stripped them away.

Determined to Reunite

As Kate prepares for the arrival of her child, she is fueled by her determination to reunite with her daughter. Her journey symbolizes both the struggles of motherhood under oppression and a glimmer of hope for the future.

Rebels' Camp

Characters

Meet the characters that bring The Handmaid's Tale (1990) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Kate (Offred)

Kate, renamed Offred, is a compelling character navigating the treacherous confines of Gilead. Her internal struggles and flashbacks reveal a fierce maternal instinct and a yearning for freedom. As she grapples with her roles imposed on her, her relationships and rebellious spirit take center stage, emphasizing her strength and resilience.

👩‍👧 Motherhood 🚫 Repression 🔥 Courage

Aunt Lydia

Aunt Lydia represents the cruel enforcement of Gilead's ideologies, embodying the oppressive forces that manipulate and control the Handmaids. Her authoritative demeanor and strict rules create fear among the women, making her a complex antagonist. Despite her twisted rationale, Aunt Lydia's character reveals the moral dilemmas faced by those upholding a repressive system.

👩‍🏫 Authority 😈 Oppression

Moira

Moira stands out as a strong-willed character who embodies resilience and rebellion against Gilead's norms. She shares her rich backstory with Kate, providing a contrast to the oppression they face. Her identity as a lesbian highlights the multiple layers of discrimination in the regime, and her spirit of defiance resonates strongly with those fighting for freedom.

🌈 Identity ✊ Freedom

Setting

Uncover the settings of The Handmaid's Tale (1990), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

Recent future

Set in a near-future timeline, the film depicts a totalitarian society where traditional norms are violently enforced, resulting in the dehumanization of women and other marginalized groups. This era reflects broader themes of societal breakdown and the consequences of extremist ideologies, highlighting the struggle for autonomy amidst systemic oppression.

Location

The Republic of Gilead, Snow-covered mountains

The Republic of Gilead serves as a grim backdrop for the film, characterized by its oppressive societal structure that emerges from a dystopian future. The snow-covered mountains symbolize isolation and the harsh conditions that residents endure, while hints of the city streets reveal a once vibrant society now transformed into a repressive environment, governed by strict rules that dictate people's identities and roles.

🏔️ Mountains 🏙️ Dystopia

Themes

Explore the core themes of The Handmaid's Tale (1990). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


⚖️

Oppression

The theme of oppression is central to the narrative, showcasing the brutal treatment of women in Gilead. The strict enforcement of societal roles strips individuals of their identities, forcing them to conform to an inhumane system. This theme reflects larger societal concerns about gender inequality and personal freedoms.

💔

Motherhood

Motherhood serves as a poignant theme throughout the film, exemplifying the deep emotional ties that bind Kate to her lost child. Kate's experiences emphasize the sacrifices and struggles that come with being a mother in a world that seeks to tear families apart. Her journey illustrates the yearning for reunion and the desire to protect one's offspring against a brutal regime.

🔗

Rebellion

Rebellion emerges as a strong theme as characters attempt to reclaim their autonomy from oppressive forces. Kate's journey from compliance to defiance illustrates the fight against a system that denies basic human rights. This theme resonates with ideas of resistance and the instinct to challenge tyranny, culminating in acts of courage that spark hope for freedom.

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