‘The Testaments’ Review: Hulu’s Next-Gen ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ Bears Witness… and Little Else
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Hulu
American video streaming service
Hulu (, HOO-loo) is an over-the-top content brand and American subscription streaming media service owned by Disney Streaming, a subsidiary of the Disney Entertainment segment of the Walt Disney Company. It is one of the most-subscribed video on demand streaming media services, with 64.1 million pai...
Gilead
Northern part of the region of Transjordan, also the name of several biblical figures
Gilead or Gilad (UK: , US: ; Hebrew: גִּלְעָד Gilʿāḏ, Arabic: جلعاد, Jalʻād) is the ancient, historic, biblical name of the mountainous northern part of the region of Transjordan, present-day Jordan. The region is bounded in the west by the Jordan River, in the north by the deep ravine of the river ...
The Testaments
2019 novel by Margaret Atwood
The Testaments is a 2019 novel by Margaret Atwood. It is the sequel to The Handmaid's Tale (1985). The novel is set 15 years after the events of The Handmaid's Tale.
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Deep Analysis
Why It Matters
This review matters because it evaluates a major streaming adaptation of Margaret Atwood's acclaimed sequel, which carries significant cultural weight in discussions about reproductive rights, authoritarianism, and feminist dystopias. It affects fans of the original 'Handmaid's Tale' franchise, streaming subscribers considering whether to watch, and cultural commentators tracking how politically charged stories translate to screen. The assessment influences viewer expectations and contributes to broader conversations about whether sequels and adaptations can maintain the impact of groundbreaking original works.
Context & Background
- 'The Testaments' is Margaret Atwood's 2019 sequel to her 1985 dystopian novel 'The Handmaid's Tale', which won the Booker Prize and became a cultural phenomenon
- Hulu's adaptation of 'The Handmaid's Tale' premiered in 2017 and has won multiple Emmy Awards, becoming one of the platform's flagship series
- The original series and novel have been frequently referenced in political debates about women's rights, particularly during periods when reproductive rights legislation has been challenged
- Margaret Atwood consulted on both the original series and 'The Testaments' adaptation, maintaining creative involvement in the television universe
What Happens Next
Following this review's publication, viewers will decide whether to watch the series based on critical reception, potentially impacting Hulu's subscription numbers and renewal decisions. The series will likely generate social media discussion about its handling of sensitive themes compared to the original. If successful, it may lead to further seasons or spin-offs within the Gilead universe, with potential award season consideration in late 2024 or early 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
'The Testaments' follows three female narrators 15 years after the original story, exploring life inside and outside Gilead through different perspectives including Aunt Lydia's backstory. While 'The Handmaid's Tale' focused primarily on Offred's first-hand experience, this sequel expands the worldbuilding and shows how resistance operates across generations.
The review suggests the adaptation may lack the visceral impact and tight narrative focus that made the original series groundbreaking. Critics often compare sequels to beloved originals, particularly when the first adaptation set such a high bar for political commentary and atmospheric storytelling.
Not necessarily—the review represents one critical perspective, and viewers with different priorities might find value in the expanded worldbuilding or character development. Fans invested in the Gilead universe may appreciate seeing storylines continued regardless of whether it matches the original's intensity.
The series adapts Atwood's 2019 novel, which she wrote partially in response to real-world political developments and fan questions about Gilead's future. Like the original adaptation, it likely takes creative liberties while maintaining Atwood's core themes about power, resistance, and survival under oppression.
As a sequel to one of Hulu's most successful original series, its performance will influence decisions about continuing dystopian franchises versus investing in new intellectual property. Strong performance could justify more book-to-screen adaptations, while weak reception might shift resources toward different genres.