About the film (courtesy of Lionsgate):
From director Paul Feig, the film plunges audiences into a twisted world where perfection is an illusion, and nothing is as it seems. Trying to escape her past, Millie (Sydney Sweeney) accepts a job as a live-in housemaid for the wealthy Nina (Amanda Seyfried) and Andrew Winchester (Brandon Sklenar). But what begins as a dream job quickly unravels into something far more dangerous — a sexy, seductive game of secrets, scandal, and power. Behind the Winchesters’ closed doors lies a world of shocking twists that will leave you guessing until the very end.
Paul Feig has long been celebrated for his entertaining comedic offerings, both on the small and large screen, including beloved hits like Bridesmaids (2011), The Heat (2013), and Spy (2015). While his Simple Favor franchise hinted at a venture into darker comedy and mystery, his latest film, The Housemaid, marks a full and definitive shift into the realm of the psychological thriller. This new work is a far cry from his previous comedies, signaling an evolution or rebranding for the director, and it pays off handsomely.
For this audacious turn, Feig enlists a strong cast featuring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried as the female co-leads, with Brandon Sklenar completing the central puzzle. Right from the start, The Housemaid establishes a messy, scandalous canvas for these deeply flawed characters.
The Housemaid is an adaptation of the novel by Freida McFadden, which explains how tightly the narrative comes together as a series of shocking reveals is played out. The plot is juicy, manipulative, and wild, constantly twisting to keep the viewer off balance.
Sweeney and Seyfried are excellent in their respective roles, delivering convincing performances that showcase strength, smarts, and remarkable transformations throughout The Housemaid. Not to be overshadowed, Sklenar stands tall, providing a great and necessary balance to the intensity of the ladies. Even in limited screen time, Elizabeth Perkins absolutely nails her role as the overbearing and judgmental matriarch.
The Housemaid has more than enough intrigue and scandalous material to keep viewers glued to their seats for its entire 131-minute runtime. While one might initially wonder why such a story wasn’t positioned for a pre-Valentine’s Day release to tap into the darker side of romance, the rest of the movie quickly dispels that notion. This is a superior, R-rated experience that transcends the label of a mere “guilty pleasure”—it is simply a good, genuinely thrilling movie. You will be hooked.
Be sure to check out The Housemaid when it opens in theaters Friday, December 19th.
