15 Reasons It Was A Mistake To Skip "The Handmaid's Tale"

Religion, sexism, violence, and a terrifying future that doesn't seem so distant.

The Handmaid's Tale is a Hulu show inspired by Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel of the same name.

Hulu

It took home five Emmy awards, including "Best Drama Series." Everyone's talking about its plot, dialogue, and protagonists. But there are many other reasons why it's a great show, including:

1. It's okay if you've already read the book, because the show has a life of its own.

McClelland and Stewart

The show if based on the book, but it creates its own story. So if you've read the book, your experience will be totally different, since the show explores each of the characters differently and creates new characters to add depth to the plot.

2. If you're a woman, there's no show more relatable.

Hulu

Women find themselves reduces to baby-making machines who have zero rights or freedoms. They're given no options and no autonomy, and everything is decided for them "for their own sake."

3. But also if you're a human being, generally speaking.

Hulu

If you've got any empathy, and if you're against the persecution and violence experienced by women or minorities, this who will really get to you.

4. The characters are rich and complex, and they're masterfully played by a very talented cast.

Hulu

From Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men) to Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love), Samira Wiley (OITNB), Max Minghella (The Social Network) and Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls), everyone plays an important part in the plot. Both Elisabeth Moss and Ann Dowd (who plays one of the most chilling characters) took the Emmy home in their categories.

5. The show's timing is perfect, since we seem to be at a moment in time that's very socially important for women.

Hulu

In short, the show is about how society changes from one day to the next. It takes place in a near-future where individual rights have ceased to exist, and women are forced into subservience by people in power, who always justify their actions by saying that they're working in service of "a greater good."

6. The vision it presents feels frighteningly possible.

Hulu

At this point in time, the dystopian vision of The Handmaid's Tale feels more like a threat than fiction. That looming sense of dread sticks with you while you're watching the show, and well after you've finished.

7. It will ABSOLUTELY shake you.

Hulu

Things start getting heated slowly, but then go completely out of control quickly. You'll still be reeling from one shocking thing when another will completely catch you off guard.

8. It will make you recognize how powerful the feeling of sisterhood between women can be.

Hulu

Fair warning: you're going to cry on more than one occasion as you're watching. It's stirring when you see how vulnerable these women are, but you'll feel empowered when you see what they're able to accomplish when they rely on one another.

9. But also, that there's nothing more dangerous than a woman with an obsession.

Hulu

On the surface, the show seems to be a commentary on male oppression, but the women in power tend to be just as dangerous as the men.

10. Visually, it's BRUTAL.

Hulu

The cinematography is unparalleled. Both director Reed Morano and cinematographer Colin Watkinson worked to create a color palette that felt oppressive, without making it look like a "period piece."

11. And the costume design is amazing.

Hulu

Stunning dresses, flowing red capes, and stark bonnets inspired by the puritan movement... all used together with powerful effect. In contrast, men wear military and business attire, which just amplifies the contrast between the men and the women in this universe.

12. The sex scenes are as powerful as they are emotionally draining.

Hulu

In Gilead, the dystopian society where women are treated as objects, sex is an act of oppression, not an act of pleasure. The "ceremony" scenes, where the maiden's are forced to have sex with the elites as their wives look on, are hard to sit through.

13. In fact, every moment of the show is emotionally engaging.

Hulu

There's always something going on, even the small details that are barely noticeable are interesting. It's the type of show you need to pay attention to, but the looks, and dialogue, and reactions all compel you to watch. It's almost overwhelming, but it's all done so well that you'll want to keep going.

14. It's a strong criticism of how religion is used to abuse and exploit people.

Hulu

The show doesn't pull its punches when it comes to how it represents religion: as a corrupt institution that exploits its followers for its own benefit.

15. It will stick with you after you've finished.

Hulu

When you finish an episode, you won't be able to stop thinking about everything you just watched, or speculating about what's going to happen next. You'll wake up the next morning thinking about The Handmaid's Tale.

This post was translated from Spanish.