Taylor Swift’s ‘Look What You Made Me Do’ Strikes a Chilling Chord in The Handmaid’s Tale

Taylor Swift fans had a surprise waiting in the latest episode of The Handmaid’s Tale. Her re-recorded hit Look What You Made Me Do (Taylor’s Version) played during the powerful opening of Season 6, Episode 9, titled Execution. The scene, already filled with haunting visuals and chaos, became even more intense with the track from Reputation echoing in the background.

Swift’s return to this song isn’t just about reclaiming her music. It’s a statement. And the way The Handmaid’s Tale used it left fans speechless.

A Perfect Scene for a Powerful Song

The episode aired on May 19, and it didn’t take long for fans to notice what was happening. As the red-robed handmaids walked in formation through the aftermath of a brutal night, sirens wailed and gunshots rang out. Over this chaos played Swift’s Look What You Made Me Do (Taylor’s Version) for a full two minutes and sixteen seconds.

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This wasn’t background filler. The track ran through the opening credits and into the action, building emotion with every note. It was a chilling match for the grim energy of the scene.

Elisabeth Moss, who plays June Osborne, spoke to Billboard about how long she had wanted to include a Taylor Swift song in the series. She said, “We finally found the perfect spot for a track from her, and I’m so glad we waited.” For Moss and the cast, who she said are all Swifties, the song’s inclusion in such a crucial episode was something special.

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Fans React as Taylor’s Version Takes Over TV

As expected, Swift’s massive fanbase took to social media to celebrate. Clips of the scene flooded Instagram and Twitter within hours of the episode airing. One fan page, @thetorturedpoets, posted the clip with a caption that perfectly captured the excitement:
“SCREAMS GUYS A LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO SNIPPET REP TV IS A THING ITS ALIVE ITS THERE OMG.”

And this isn’t the first time Swift’s re-recorded version of the song has been used commercially. In March 2024, Apple TV+ used it in the documentary The Dynasty: New England Patriots, during a segment on Tom Brady’s comeback. It also appeared in the trailer for Amazon Prime’s Wilderness. But something about the way The Handmaid’s Tale used the track felt different. Bigger. Bolder. More personal.

Is ‘Reputation (Taylor’s Version)’ Finally Coming?

The surprise placement has only added fuel to the fire when it comes to the question all fans are asking: When is Reputation (Taylor’s Version) dropping?

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Since Taylor’s Eras Tour stop in São Paulo last November, fans have been tracking every hint and Easter egg. Now, Swifties are eyeing the upcoming American Music Awards on May 26 in Las Vegas. Taylor’s website recently changed its shop categories to “Apparel, Music, Accessories, Sale” – spelling out “AMAS.” And 12 items were marked down to 26%, leading many to believe this all points to a big announcement on May 26.

There’s no confirmation yet that Taylor will attend the event, but the timing would make sense. Using a major show like The Handmaid’s Tale to tease Reputation (TV) is classic Swift — strategic, emotional, and unforgettable.