Sarah Waters Movies
Tipping the Velvet – 2002
This BBC series follows Nancy Astley, a young woman enchanted by performer Kitty Butler. Leaving her seaside home, Nancy dives into London’s vibrant music halls. Her romance with Kitty unravels, leading to self-discovery amid Victorian society’s margins. A bold exploration of love, identity, and resilience in a colorful, gritty world.
Fingersmith – 2005
This BBC adaptation follows Sue Trinder, raised by thieves, as she joins a scheme to con heiress Maud Lilly. Their intricate plot spirals into betrayal and unexpected love. Set in Victorian England, the series weaves deception, passion, and identity, revealing secrets that reshape their lives in a gripping, twist-filled drama.
Affinity – 2008
This TV movie follows Margaret Prior, a spinster visiting Millbank Prison, where she meets enigmatic spiritualist Selina Dawes. Drawn into Selina’s mystical world, Margaret’s obsession blurs reality and deceit. Set in Victorian London, the film explores longing, betrayal, and supernatural forces, unveiling the era’s dark, oppressive undercurrents.
The Handmaiden – 2016
Park Chan-wook’s film, inspired by Fingersmith, reimagines the tale in 1930s Korea. A con artist poses as a maid to swindle a Japanese heiress, but their bond complicates the scheme. Erotic, visually stunning, and full of twists, this adaptation explores love, betrayal, and liberation in a repressive colonial setting.
The Little Stranger – 2018
This film follows Dr. Faraday’s entanglement with the declining Ayres family at Hundreds Hall. Unexplained events suggest a sinister force at play. Blending gothic horror with class struggles, the movie delves into ambition, loss, and the eerie possibility that the house itself harbors a malevolent, destructive presence.
