The Testaments Review: Chase Infiniti Shines in the Best Handmaid’s Tale Release in Years

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It’s only been a short time since The Handmaid’s Tale ended, but now Hulu is releasing a new show, The Testaments, which continues the story. The original series, starring Elisabeth Moss, finished with a hopeful moment – the commanders in Boston were defeated and the city freed, with June Osborne sharing her experiences. However, while one battle was won, the fight against Gilead isn’t over, and the oppressive regime still exists.

The story continues with The Testaments, which begins about four years after the events of the first series. While based on Margaret Atwood’s sequel novel of the same name, the show makes some changes, particularly to the timeline. The book takes place 15 years after the end of The Handmaid’s Tale novel, but the show adjusts this because the original Hulu series continued June’s story much further than the book did. This new installment shifts the focus to two young women: Agnes, played by Chase Infiniti, who is the daughter of a Commander preparing for marriage, and Daisy, played by Lucy Halliday, a new recruit among the Pearl Girls – missionaries who spread Gilead’s teachings and train to become Aunts.

Ann Dowd reprises her role as Aunt Lydia from The Handmaid’s Tale, continuing to enforce Gilead’s rules even after briefly assisting June. This season focuses on Agnes, Daisy, and other young women under her control, and their intertwined stories will unfold over the show’s ten episodes. The Testaments builds upon the foundation of the original series while also forging its own unique path.

Rating: 4/5

The Testaments Is More Than Just A Handmaid’s Tale Sequel

Given that The Testaments is a sequel created by the same team behind The Handmaid’s Tale, it shares some similarities with the original. Ann Dowd reprises her role as Lydia, and while time has passed, Gilead remains a harsh and oppressive society. The show still features the striking visuals and artistic touches fans loved in The Handmaid’s Tale – notably, a shift from red to purple as a dominant color, beautiful cinematography, and a carefully chosen soundtrack. The imagery, especially scenes with the young women, strongly echoes the style of the original series.

Despite being connected to The Handmaid’s Tale, this series feels distinct in its storytelling and overall mood. It successfully creates its own unique identity instead of simply repeating elements from the original. Focusing on Agnes and Daisy as they grow up effectively makes this a coming-of-age story. This brings a welcome lightness to the narrative, a significant departure from the darker tone of The Handmaid’s Tale. We see these girls experiencing authentic friendships, playful moments, and the typical joys and challenges of adolescence, giving the series a fresh and renewed energy.

Later seasons of The Handmaid’s Tale occasionally felt repetitive, focusing heavily on June’s repeated attempts to escape Gilead. Some viewers also criticized the show for its graphic violence, even though it contributed to the story’s overall impact. Fortunately, the show now has Margaret Atwood’s original novel to draw from again – something it didn’t have after the first season. Plus, shifting the focus to a new generation – teenage girls who hold more power than the Handmaids – allows for a different and somewhat less intense tone.

The situation is still bleak. Gilead hasn’t become good, though its wickedness is now more subtle and hidden. It’s a world where a young woman’s first period can determine her fate, a simple dentist visit can be terrifying, and marriage can feel like a trap. While the violence isn’t as overt or graphic, the feeling of being trapped and controlled is still deeply disturbing.

This season of the show reveals an equally disturbing, though different, aspect of Gilead. Interestingly, when the story starts to resemble The Handmaid’s Tale too closely, it becomes less compelling. While the pacing occasionally lags in the middle, with some storylines feeling drawn out, the season generally moves at a good speed.

Chase Infiniti & Lucy Halliday Shine In The Testaments

The timing of Chase Infiniti’s casting in The Testaments was perfect. She played Agnes before becoming famous for her role in One Battle After Another, which earned her Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Actor Award nominations. Fortunately, Infiniti delivers a fantastic performance as Agnes. Her star power was already evident in One Battle, and it truly shines in this new series.

The actress portrays Agnes with remarkable subtlety. Having been taught to be a perfectly obedient young woman within the oppressive world of Gilead, she embodies that role convincingly. She communicates volumes without speaking, relying on her eyes and small facial expressions. The power of her performance lies in the quiet desperation and polite facade she maintains as her life falls apart, and the actress delivers this brilliantly, instantly making the audience empathize with Agnes. Occasionally, this carefully constructed composure cracks, revealing either heartbreaking vulnerability or a defiant strength that echoes June’s spirit.

Lucy Halliday delivers a fantastic performance as Daisy, a newcomer to the world of Gilead. She and Agnes have wonderful chemistry, building a believable and genuine connection as they learn from each other – Daisy shares glimpses of life outside Gilead, having come from Toronto. Halliday skillfully portrays the duality of her character: she convincingly plays both a woman familiar with the outside world and someone trying to adapt to life within Gilead. Her performance captures a mix of shock and anger, echoing June’s intensity without ever feeling like a copy.

The younger actors are also excellent, particularly Rowan Blanchard as the spoiled Shunammite and Mattea Conforti as Becka, Agnes’s close friend – both have memorable scenes. Ann Dowd seamlessly returns as Aunt Lydia, picking up the role as if she never left (which is true, considering her ongoing presence), though I wished we’d seen more of her and her relationships with Agnes and Daisy. Because the story centers on the children, some of the other Aunts and adult characters felt less developed, but that’s a reasonable compromise.

If you enjoyed The Handmaid’s Tale, you’ll likely enjoy The Testaments. Even if you found the first book a bit tiring, this sequel offers plenty of new and interesting material to make it worthwhile.

The first three episodes of The Testaments will be released on April 8th on Hulu.

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2026-04-02 19:12