When Lionsgate announced an adaptation of Freida McFadden’s massive bestseller, The Housemaid, the expectations were immediately sky high. This 2025 Movie serves as a major cinematic event for fans of domestic thrillers, directed by Paul Feig and written by Rebecca Sonnenshine. Produced by Feigco Entertainment and Hidden Pictures, the film finally landed in theaters on December 19, 2025, after a high profile premiere at the Axa Equitable Center. It arrives at a time when the "domestic noir" genre is hungry for a fresh, high energy hit, and Feig delivers exactly that.
The film follows Millie Calloway, portrayed by the increasingly versatile Sydney Sweeney, an ex convict who is desperate for a fresh start. When she is hired as a live in housemaid for the incredibly wealthy Nina and Andrew Winchester, it feels like the miracle she has been praying for. However, the dream job quickly morphs into a suffocating nightmare as Millie becomes entangled in the Winchesters’ toxic marriage. Nina, played with a disturbing edge by Amanda Seyfried, is erratic and cruel, while Andrew, played by Brandon Sklenar, is the perfect, sympathetic husband who seemingly needs saving. This setup provides the foundation for a seductive game of secrets and power that keeps the audience guessing through every corridor of the Winchesters' opulent mansion.
Story and Screenplay: A Labyrinth of Domestic Deception
The narrative quality of The Housemaid is heavily tied to its source material, but Sonnenshine’s script manages to sharpen the book’s edges for the big screen. The structure is a classic three act thriller that plays heavily with perspective and reliability. In the first act, we see the world through Millie’s eyes as she tries to navigate Nina’s increasingly bizarre behavior. The script excels at building a sense of unease, making the audience feel the weight of Millie’s social disadvantage. She is a woman who cannot afford to lose this job, and the screenplay uses that desperation to keep the tension high even when the plot beats feel familiar.
However, the pacing does hit a noticeable snag in the middle section. The movie runs for 131 minutes, and a significant portion of that middle hour is dedicated to a repetitive cycle of gaslighting. Nina gives Millie an order, Millie follows it, and then Nina denies ever having said anything. While this effectively conveys Millie’s psychological exhaustion, it does dull the sense of forward motion for a brief period. It feels like the story is treading water to ensure the audience is fully on Millie’s side before the big turns begin.
The themes of class disparity and the performative nature of the "perfect marriage" are woven throughout the script. There is an interesting commentary on how wealth can mask true insanity, and how those in lower social positions are often the first to see the cracks. While the originality of the "crazy employer" trope is debatable, the execution here feels modern and slick. The script’s greatest strength lies in its final forty minutes, which are incredibly propulsive. The twists come fast and are genuinely unexpected, pivoting the film from a standard drama into a full blown horror thriller.
Acting and Characters: The Volatile Chemistry of Secrets
Sydney Sweeney continues to prove why she is the definitive star of her generation. As Millie, she carries a "native intensity" that is palpable in every frame. She starts the film walking on eggshells, portraying a woman who has been beaten down by the system but still has a spark of survival instinct. The way Sweeney transitions from a subservient, frightened employee to someone who finally "lets loose" in the finale is the film’s biggest highlight. It is an physical and emotional transformation that anchors the entire experience.
Amanda Seyfried is equally compelling as Nina Winchester. Seyfried has always been gifted at playing characters who are slightly off kilter, and here she leans fully into Nina’s disturbing presence. She is not exactly a villain in the traditional sense, but she is generally disturbing. The chemistry between Sweeney and Seyfried is less about warmth and more about a cold, calculated friction. Every scene they share feels like a chess match where the board might be flipped at any moment.
Brandon Sklenar provides a necessary contrast as Andrew. He is charming, sympathetic, and looks every bit the romantic lead. Interestingly, his appearance here is a significant upgrade from some of his previous roles; he looks polished and well groomed, which adds to the illusion of Andrew being the "perfect" catch. His chemistry with Sweeney is electric, providing the "sexy and seductive" energy the film’s marketing promised. The supporting cast, particularly Michele Morrone as the brooding groundskeeper Enzo and Elizabeth Perkins as the overbearing Evelyn Winchester, fill out the world with a sense of looming dread.
Trailer The Housemaid (2025)
Direction and Technical Aspects: Framing the Gilded Cage
Paul Feig is largely known for his comedies, but his work on A Simple Favor proved he has a knack for the "suburban noir" style. In The Housemaid, he leans even further into the visual storytelling of the thriller genre. His vision for the Winchester house is one of sterile, gilded luxury. The house itself becomes a character, with its long, echoing hallways and oversized rooms that make Millie feel even smaller and more isolated.
The cinematography is bright and crisp, which serves as a brilliant counterpoint to the dark themes of the story. Rather than using shadows and gloom to create horror, Feig uses the harsh, unflinching light of the mansion to expose the characters' flaws. The production design is top notch, with the Winchesters' home feeling like a place where secrets are buried under expensive rugs. The editing in the final act is particularly noteworthy, as it ramps up the speed to match the frantic nature of the twists. It effectively mirrors the characters' descent into chaos.
There is a deliberate contrast in the visual composition between Millie’s cramped, attic like room and the expansive master suites of the Winchesters. This visual storytelling reinforces the class divide that underpins the entire plot. Feig’s style is clean and professional, avoiding flashy camera tricks in favor of steady, purposeful shots that let the actors' performances shine through.
Music and Atmosphere: The Sonic Weight of Suspense
The atmosphere of The Housemaid is one of high stakes and hidden dangers. The score is a key part of this, utilizing string heavy arrangements that feel both elegant and discordant. The music often swells during moments of mundane household chores, suggesting that even the act of cleaning a floor can be a precursor to violence. It creates a sense of dread that persists even during the quieter moments of the film.
Sound design plays a crucial role in enhancing the "horror thriller" elements. Every creak of the floorboards and every slammed door feels intentional. There is a specific focus on the sounds of domesticity, the clink of silverware, the hiss of a steam iron, and the scrubbing of brushes, which are heightened to sound almost aggressive. This audio approach ensures that the audience is always on edge, much like Millie is throughout her workday.
The overall mood is claustrophobic despite the large settings. The film manages to feel like a pressure cooker, with the audio and visual elements working in tandem to squeeze the audience until the final explosive reveal. It is an atmosphere that pokes fun at the "picture perfect" life while simultaneously showing how easily that life can be shattered.
Strengths and Weaknesses
What works well:
- Sydney Sweeney's Performance: Her intensity and the way she handles the character's eventual empowerment are the heart of the film.
- The Thrilling Finale: The last 40 minutes are a masterclass in pacing, providing shocks that feel earned rather than cheap.
- Production Design: The Winchester mansion is a stunning, terrifying setting that perfectly encapsulates the film’s themes of wealth and isolation.
- Character Dynamics: The complicated relationship between the two female leads is fascinating and keeps the emotional stakes high.
- The "Shampooed" Lead: Brandon Sklenar’s transformation into a polished, romantic lead makes his character far more engaging and believable in the "perfect husband" role.
What doesn't work:
- Repetitive Middle Act: The cycle of gaslighting between Nina and Millie goes on a bit too long, causing the momentum to stall for a significant portion of the second act.
- Exaggerated Runtime: At 131 minutes, the film feels like it could have benefited from a tighter edit in the middle to keep the tension from sagging.
- Tonal Ambiguity: At times, it is hard to tell if the movie wants us to be frightened by Nina or to find her madness darkly comedic.
Final Verdict: A Polished Thriller with Sharp Edges
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
The Housemaid (2025) is a highly effective, beautifully shot thriller that successfully translates a popular novel into a cinematic experience. While it occasionally trips over its own runtime and spends a bit too much time repeating its central psychological conflicts, it is never dull. Every incident is interesting, and the film does a remarkable job of making sure the audience is emotionally invested in Millie’s survival.
Fans of domestic thrillers like Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train will find a lot to love here. It is a movie that understands the value of a good twist and knows exactly how to utilize its stars' screen presence. It is a story about power, agency, and the dangerous games people play behind closed doors.
Who should watch it? This is a perfect choice for anyone who enjoys psychological warfare and twisty, adult oriented thrillers. If you are a fan of Sydney Sweeney or Amanda Seyfried, their work here is some of their most engaging in recent years. Readers of the original book will likely find this to be a faithful and elevated adaptation that hits all the right notes.
Who might not enjoy it? Those who demand a fast, unrelenting pace from start to finish might find the middle section frustratingly slow. If you are looking for a gritty, realistic drama, the polished and somewhat "sexy" aesthetic of this thriller might feel a bit too much like a Hollywood fantasy.
Overall, I highly recommend catching The Housemaid for the powerhouse performances alone. It is a polished piece of entertainment that delivers a satisfying, visceral payoff. Do not let the slow middle deter you, because the ending is a wild ride that makes the wait entirely worth it.
Recommendation: See it in theaters for the atmosphere, but it will make for a fantastic Friday night watch at home as well.
 Movie Review: A Polished, Gilded Thriller with Sharp Teeth){kind=link}
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