--- title: "The Handmaid's Tale: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/the-handmaids-tale/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/the-handmaids-tale" critics_score: 87 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Handmaid's Tale (2017): what the critics said Critics' score 87 from 10 reviews: 10 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are unanimous in their approval, and the praise gathers in the same places. Most critics find the adaptation faithful to Atwood’s novel while working as television in its own right, and nearly all remark on how closely it seems to speak to the present political moment. Elisabeth Moss’s performance as Offred is singled out more often than anything else, called captivating, nuanced and magnificent. The production is also widely admired, several reviews pointing to the precise compositions and the unhurried pacing. There is little disagreement. The spread is narrow and no critic is in two minds; the reservations are small. The Times, reviewing the final episode, finds some of the music choices misjudged while still praising the closing hour. A few critics note that the series adds material not in the book, though they treat this as a strength. Where the praise does tilt, it is towards the show’s timeliness rather than the drama itself. ## Empire — Ian Freer Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 17 April 2017. The series is a vital, essential and perfectly crafted TV drama that is profound, terrifying and heart-breaking. It singles out Elisabeth Moss's stellar performance as Offred for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/tv/reviews/handmaids-tale-review/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 29 May 2017. The critic calls the adaptation chilling and brilliant, praising its loyalty to Atwood's novel while delivering powerful television that resonates with contemporary events. Elisabeth Moss's performance as Offred is singled out as utterly captivating. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/may/29/handmaids-tale-review-best-thing-youll-watch-all-year) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 13 April 2017. The series is a must-watch prestige drama that is meticulously paced, brutal, visually stunning, and suspenseful. It is a faithful yet layered adaptation of the novel with urgent relevance to contemporary issues. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2017/04/the-handmaids-tale-hulu-review.html) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Daniel Fienberg Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 13 April 2017. Hulu's timely adaptation is one of the spring's best new shows and makes Elisabeth Moss an immediate Emmy contender. It singles out the beautifully produced speculative thriller elements and Moss's lead performance. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/handmaids-tale-review-991871/) ## Variety — Sonia Saraiya Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 19 April 2017. The Hulu adaptation is an upsetting, immersive and horrifyingly beautiful vision of a dystopian world that is a worthy, heartbreaking take on the source material. It singles out the strong performances and profound visual grammar for praise. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2017/tv/uncategorized/tv-review-the-handmaids-tale-hulu-margaret-atwood-elisabeth-moss-1202325973/) ## The Times — Andrew Billen Rating ★★★★☆. 31 July 2017. The review praises the powerful final episode of the series despite some musical missteps, highlighting incredible scenes and Elisabeth Moss's magnificent performance as Offred. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/tv-review-the-handmaids-tale-casualty-6qx2nz93h) ## Collider — Allison Keene Rating ★★★★★. 20 April 2017. The critic calls the series haunting and extraordinary storytelling, praising its intimate personal experience through Offred's perspective and its reflection of current political fears. It singles out Elisabeth Moss's nuanced performance for praise. [Read the review](https://collider.com/the-handmaids-tale-review-hulu/) ## Den of Geek — Delia Harrington Rating 4.5/5. 26 April 2017. The adaptation is masterful and timely, with stellar casting and strong plotting that includes new material to update the story. A strong cast, impeccable timing, and devastating story make it a must-watch. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-handmaids-tale-review-spoiler-free/) ## Paste — Matt Brennan Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 13 April 2017. The critic hails the series as the first great political drama of the authoritarian age, praising its aesthetic assurance and depiction of interlocking power structures. It singles out the precise compositions and moments of subtle resistance for praise. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/the-handmaids-tale/the-handmaids-tale-is-the-first-great-political-dr) ## /Film — Hoai-Tran Bui Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 28 April 2017. The review finds the first episodes harrowing due to their prescient reflection of today's political climate and themes of complicity in oppression. It singles out the timely exploration of totalitarianism and women's autonomy for praise. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/550628/the-handmaids-tale-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/the-handmaids-tale.md