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      Season 1 – The Handmaid's Tale

      2017 Drama Sci-Fi List
      94% 260 Reviews Tomatometer 90% 2,500+ Ratings Audience Score Based on the best-selling novel by Margaret Atwood, this series is set in Gilead, a totalitarian society in what used to be part of the United States. Gilead is ruled by a fundamentalist regime that treats women as property of the state, and is faced with environmental disasters and a plummeting birth rate. In a desperate attempt to repopulate a devastated world, the few remaining fertile women are forced into sexual servitude. One of these women, Offred, is determined to survive the terrifying world she lives in, and find the daughter that was taken from her. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Jul 14 Buy Now

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      The Handmaid's Tale — Season 1

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      The Handmaid's Tale — Season 1

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      Critics Consensus

      Haunting and vivid, The Handmaid's Tale is an endlessly engrossing adaptation of Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel that's anchored by a terrific central performance from Elisabeth Moss.

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      Audience Reviews

      View All (310) audience reviews
      lawrenceb56 This had so much to recommend to start off with. Slowly--sloooooowly--a great story gets cast aside for lazy and overlong kissing and petting scenes and cutesy flashbacks that are acted out in sort of an improv manner. The lead Offred is not anything special in this, but she could be fully serviceable in this role (if they allow her to act and she doesn't take twenty seconds to voice a response to a line) and some of the supporting cast are near brilliant (Serena Joy, OfWarren and Luke). I'm going to stay with it and hope they move the plot along because it's obviously taken from terrific writing. But the bizarre coupling scenes and near sex scenes are seeming kind of boring about 8 episodes in. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/10/23 Full Review Meaghan O Do they want you to hate June… because she sucks. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 11/06/23 Full Review Lucresia S Season 1 and 2 are the only standards of television. The latter seasons are dull. Anyways, everything here plus social commentary is amazing. Elizabeth Moss is definitely a best actress in her generation. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/04/23 Full Review Lee N slow, boring and unrealistic Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 09/15/23 Full Review Ahmed N A horrifying, thought-provoking, futuristic dystopia that revolves around women's subjugation and religious dictatorship, with fantastic performances, great cinematography, and a haunting score. The only problem is that the series drags in its latest seasons. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/27/23 Full Review Gareth v A disturbing dystopian tale that cuts close to the bone. Atmospheric, complex and brilliantly constructed this is an excellent adaption of Atwood's classic novel. One of the best shows of 2017. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

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      Episodes

      Episode 1 Aired Apr 26, 2017 Offred Offred struggles to survive as a reproductive surrogate for a powerful figure and his resentful wife. Details Episode 2 Aired Apr 26, 2017 Birth Day When Offred and her fellow handmaids assist with the delivery of Janine's baby, Offred remembers her own daughter's birth; Offred and Ofglen grow closer. Details Episode 3 Aired Apr 26, 2017 Late Offred visits Janine's baby and recalls the early days of the revolution before Gilead; Ofglen is faced with a challenge. Details Episode 4 Aired May 3, 2017 Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum During her punishment, Offred starts to unravel, and remembers her time with Moira at the Red Center; a complication threatens Offred's future with the Commander and Serena Joy. Details Episode 5 Aired May 10, 2017 Faithful Offred receives a surprising proposition from Serena Joy; Offred recalls the start of her relationship with her husband. Details Episode 6 Aired May 17, 2017 A Woman's Place Offred is questioned about her life as a handmaid; Serena Joy reflects on her marriage and her role in Gilead's inception. Details Episode 7 Aired May 24, 2017 The Other Side Offred remembers her family's escape attempt, revealing details about life before Gilead. Details Episode 8 Aired May 31, 2017 Jezebels The Commander surprises Offred with an adventure in Gilead; trouble in Nick's past leads to his recruitment by the Sons of Jacob. Details Episode 9 Aired Jun 7, 2017 The Bridge Offred goes on a dangerous mission for the resistance; Janine receives a new posting; Serena Joy has suspicions about the Commander's fidelity. Details Episode 10 Aired Jun 14, 2017 Night Serena Joy confronts Offred, who struggles with a life-altering revelation; the handmaids are faced with a brutal decision. Details

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      The Handmaid's Tale — Season 1

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      Critics Reviews

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      Riese Bernard Autostraddle It was so close, too real, impossible, familiar, not enough, and everything, all at once. Oct 5, 2021 Full Review Dorothy Snarker Autostraddle What makes The Handmaid's Tale so striking isn't just this world where all the pretense of female equality has been stripped away, but the ordinariness of such oppression even today. Oct 5, 2021 Full Review Lauren Carroll Harris Guardian For many, the anguish of watching won't be worth it. But the vision of a totalitarian society is realised so fully that the story remains gripping and its message vital. Jul 26, 2019 Full Review Brian T. Carney Washington Blade Start with season one to savor all of the details in this great series. Binge-watching is not recommended. The emotional and intellectual impact of each episode can be overwhelming... Dec 7, 2022 Full Review Mirelle Tinker Mediaversity Reviews A well-crafted dystopia, women are multi-faceted and far from helpless despite an oppressive regime. Unfortunately, the show does not grasp the language of racial inclusion. Rated: B- Sep 19, 2020 Full Review John Tones Espinof 'The Handmaid's Tale' has understood the tone and message of the original novel, perfectly replacing pure reflection for emotion. [Full review in Spanish] Aug 15, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

      Season Info

      Director
      Reed Morano, Kate Dennis, Mike Barker
      Executive Producer
      Bruce Miller, Warren Littlefield, Daniel Wilson, Fran Sears, Ilene Chaiken
      Screenwriter
      Bruce Miller
      Network
      Hulu
      Rating
      TV-MA
      Genre
      Drama, Sci-Fi
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date
      Apr 26, 2017