The Handmaid's Tale

I'm tired, Mommy.

OK, sweetie.

We're all tired, honey.

Here we go. Hold tight.

Come on, sit. Now hold on tight.

Like that.

This is Border Patrol.

You are approaching the border of the Republic of Gilead.

You're not allowed any closer. Turn back.

This is Border Patrol.

You are approaching the border of the Republic of Gilead.

You are not allowed any closer. Turn back.

This is Border Patrol.

You are approaching the border of the Republic...

I'll keep them busy.

Mommy!

Jill! Get down!

Jill! No!

My baby!

Let's go.

Come on.

The results for the following numbers...

3964, positive. 4281, positive.

6836, positive. 2184, negative.

- 956... - Don't push me!

...98, positive. 6131, negative.

7631, positive. 5128, negative.

2147, negative. 928...

No, you've made a mistake. L...

I know! Please!

Let me go!

All right. Let's go.

Mommy.

Thanks.

Hello, girls. Relax.

Relax. I'm Aunt Lydia.

Are you all well?

Come on, I want you to say, "We're very well, Aunt Lydia."

So, are you well?

Very well, Aunt Lydia.

That's great, because you are well.

You're healthy, you're free from infections...

and you're the only ones whose tests are positive.

You're the lucky ones.

We're the lucky ones.

Amen. You're going to be Handmaids.

You're going to serve God and your country.

All right, girls. Into the bus. Let's go.

How long were you in?

I'm not sure.

What'd you do, and how'd they get you?

We tried to cross the border.

What about you?

Gender treachery. I like girls.

Christ, they could have sent you to the colonies.

They don't send you to the colonies...

if your ovaries are still jumping.

All right, sisters.

Move it!

Get on that bus. Move it!

Go on, sisters.

You can't make me break my vows!

Get on that bus. Quiet.

Don't, please!

Oh, God from whom all blessings flow

Hear us, your daughters here below

They house the vessels of the seed

Of those who come to us in need

Remove our anger, cleanse our will

And leave us empty to refill

Let us pray.

Oh, God, make us fruitful.

Oh, God, make us fruitful.

Stop it! Why do you think God made you a woman?

You can't...

Mortify my flesh that I may be multiplied.

Mortify my flesh that I may be multiplied.

- Amen. - My God!

Amen.

Good night, girls.

What's your name?

Kate. What's yours?

Moira.

I am Joanna.

- I'm Alice. - I'm Stephanie.

I'm Susan.

My name is Kathleen.

I'm Cara.

I am Julie.

Mommy.

Eat it, and you'll like it.

That's enough!

You're getting the best.

There's a war on, you know.

The air got too full once of chemicals and radiation.

Next.

The rain water swarmed with toxic molecules.

Sit.

These poisons flowed into the rivers, crept into people.

Place your right arm in the sleeve.

The result, sterility.

Remove your arm.

Today, only one out of a hundred women...

can still bear children, and some women stopped.

Believing there would be no future, they refused.

Refused to bear children!

They wouldn't even try!

They were lazy women! They were sluts.

There is more than one kind of freedom.

In the days of anarchy, it was "freedom to."

Now, you're being given "freedom from."

Don't underrate it.

I hate to punish her, but she abused herself...

and your body is a temple of purity.

So let that be a lesson to you.

We know men can't help it, but we're different.

We have self control.

Dignity.

Remember, you're not her equal.

You're a Handmaid.

That is your role in life.

Do you understand?

She could do you a lot of harm.

Well, if you are chosen, it will be a great honor.

I must stress that another incident...

of the previous nature will not be tolerated.

But I think you'll find this young woman satisfactory.

You may come in now.

Come in.

Sit down.

Is this your first placement?

Yes, it is.

Well, here's how it works.

I see as little of you as possible.

Understand? But if I get trouble...

I give trouble back.

Is that clear?

Yes, ma'am.

I've read your file.

I know you're not stupid.

Do you want this job?

- Yes, ma'am. - Don't call me "ma'am."

You're not a Martha.

You will sleep here, in your own room...

but if the Commander goes to the front or to the capital...

you'll go back to sleep at the Red Center.

Now, I want to ask you one question.

Answer from your heart.

Do you want a baby? Do you really want one?

It won't work if you don't want one.

Do you really want to have a baby?

Yes, I do.

We could help each other.

We could.

Sit down. Everybody sit. Girls.

Right. Anyone.

There was date rape, even on campus.

It was horrible.

Name her.

Yes, your name? Come on.

Step forward now.

What am I supposed to say?

Just tell us how it was back then.

It was horrible.

Speak up.

I was raped when I was fourteen by six guys...

in my high school class.

It was at a party. We'd all been drinking.

I thought that they were my friends.

Then I had an abortion.

But it wasn't my fault. My mother, she made me do it.

She wouldn't let me have the baby.

Whose fault was it?

Her fault.

Who lead them on?

She did.

Why did God allow such a terrible thing to happen?

- Teach us a lesson. - Let's hear it.

Teach us a lesson.

What is she?

She's a whore.

Whore!

I'm going crazy.

This is a fucking loony bin.

That's enough.

Whore!

I didn't mean to do it.

I lead them on. I assume the pain. I'm sorry.

Very good, Janine.

Bathroom?

Is that you?

God, do I need a cigarette.

Listen...

I have a placement. I go tomorrow.

Oh, fuck! I'll miss you.

I'll miss you, too.

The damn wives don't want me.

I don't know why. Maybe I scare them.

Maybe they think I want to touch their tits.

Maybe it's the damn fucking husbands.