A Spin-Off Just as Gripping as The Handmaid’s Tale, ‘The Testaments’ (2026) | TV Review

A Spin-Off Just as Gripping as The Handmaid’s Tale

Genre: Drama/Dystopian

Lead Performances: Chase Infiniti, Lucy Halliday

Based on Novel by: Margaret Atwood

Episodes: S1, 01 - 10

When ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ ended, I was heartbroken to say the least. The ending felt rushed and a blatant opening for the upcoming spin-off. I had my reservations but after watching the first episode I knew ‘The Testaments’ was going to be a worthy spin-off/sequel to one of my favourite television shows of all time. ‘

The Testaments’ is a soul crushing, spine chilling addition to the world of Gilead. It is a gradual evolution and transports us into a new style of storytelling, remaining just as brutal and grotesque at times but through the lens of coming-of-age. ‘The Testaments’ is easily one of the greatest and most powerful shows you can watch on Disney+.

Dismantling Oppression and Female Agency

The Testaments follows a new structure in comparison to ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. The characters from its predecessor were built on survival and conformity, trying desperately to dismantle from within whilst being tortured and abused. ‘The Testaments’ obviously lives within the same world but approaches the topic of oppression through the lens of teenagers, young girls who know no different. This show is all about resistance, rebellion, and realisation. 

The central characters like Aunt Lydia, Agnes and Daisy each transition from victims of oppression to active fighters in the regime's destruction. They may appear to be fragile but quite the opposite. The Testaments and The Handmaid’s Tale both focus on reproductive agency being weaponised as a tool of state control. Women are striped of their bodily autonomy and reduced to state-owned commodities.

Margaret Atwood’s work speaks to me, her stories and characters feel so realised that I almost find myself frozen with fear of it all coming true. The Testaments builds on the concept of female agency and undermining a patriarchal state from the inside out. The Testaments makes you realise how powerful women are, how deeply feared female potential is. 

Religious Hypocrisy and Totalitarianism

Margaret Atwood’s ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ was first published in 1985. Let that sink in, this story, these characters, the world in which they live was conceptualised in 1985. Her work serves as a profound cultural warning against authoritarianism and a persistent beacon for global women’s rights and with that comes the conversation of religion and totalitarianism. 

Both The Testaments and The Handmaid’s Tale obviously live within the concept of an extreme representation of faith and the misinterpretation of sacred texts within Gilead. The Testaments showcases how leaders and the government can manipluate just about anything into their vision. The novel and now the television series critique the concept of control. 

If you are intrigued to watch The Testaments or The Handmaid’s Tale, be aware of the dark, disturbing themes. Although The Testaments is told through a youth-centric lens it is nonetheless violent and horrifying but exceedingly empowering and gripping.

Film Probe’s Conclusion

Overall, The Testaments is one of the most gripping, well performed, strongly written, conceptualised television shows I have seen in a while and I recommend everyone to watch it. You don’t neccersariy have to be caught up with The Handmaid’s Tale but watching that show will give you a brutal understanding of Gilead and the evil nature of the regime.

The Testaments build on the story, it adds character, it adds heart, it adds moments of humour and coming of age amongst the politics and slaughter. The Testaments is a deeply powerful and important piece of storytelling and I am so pleased that season 2 has been confirmed. 

Probe Points

★★★★★