The Housemaid (2025)
7.269 /10
2750 Reviews
Rate This Movie:
Trying to escape her past, Millie Calloway accepts a job as a live-in housemaid for the wealthy Nina and Andrew Winchester. But what begins as a dream job quickly unravels into something far more dangerous—a sexy, seductive game of secrets, scandal, and power.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Millie Calloway
... Nina Winchester
... Andrew Winchester
... Enzo
... Cece Winchester
User reviews
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://movieswetextedabout.com/the-housemaid-movie-review-paul-feig-delivers-a-crowd-pleaser-driven-by-an-unhinged-amanda-seyfried/
"The Housemaid leans on the undeniable talent of an Amanda Seyfried in her prime and Paul Feig‘s ability to create a crowd-pleaser that knows its limitations. Although it doesn’t avoid clichés and occasionally gets lost in narrative redundancies, its vibrant aesthetics and explosive finale make up for the flaws along the way.
A deliberately chaotic domestic thriller, where the power struggle and the deconstruction of social appearances reveal that the true terror lies in what we choose to ignore in broad daylight."
Rating: B-
Director:
Release Date:
2025-12-18
Run Time:
131 min
MMPA Rating:
R
Reviews of
The Housemaid
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://movieswetextedabout.com/the-housemaid-movie-review-paul-feig-delivers-a-crowd-pleaser-driven-by-an-unhinged-amanda-seyfried/
"The Housemaid leans on the undeniable talent of an Amanda Seyfried in her prime and Paul Feig‘s ability to create a crowd-pleaser that knows its limitations. Although it doesn’t avoid clichés and occasionally gets lost in narrative redundancies, its vibrant aesthetics and explosive finale make up for the flaws along the way.
A deliberately chaotic domestic thriller, where the power struggle and the deconstruction of social appearances reveal that the true terror lies in what we choose to ignore in broad daylight."
Rating: B-
In with a whimper and out with the trash
A friend recently suggested to me that 2025 has seen a reduction of left wing politics in popular culture. I politely asked him if he had gone both deaf and blind. The Housemaid is a case in point. Paul Feig and Rebecca Sonnenshine have conspired to unleash yet another entertainment for the type of people who believe The Handmaid's Tale is a reasonable allegory for modern America.
There are comically evil straight white males in the main storyline, the backstory of the first female heroine, in the flashbacks for the second female heroine and the dopy sequel set-up. Housemaid 2: This Time is Even More Ridiculous.
The central straight white male of The Housemaid is a man who lives behind a gate with his initial on it. Say less.
The miscreant inherited all his money. Say less.
The wretch works in tech! Say less. OK, but what is a Data Processing company? Does Chandler work there?
Freida McFadden's novel hasn't landed on my TBR list. My first exposure to The Housemaid was the trailer I saw a few weeks ago. As the moving pictures of the pretty house and the even prettier ladies unfolded in front of me I said to myself, "So the husband's a monster. Got it."
Perhaps things like storytelling, nuance, character development, suspense and satisfying plot twists are gauche and passé. The only thing that matters, apparently, is consistently getting the message out there. The message which decrees all rich people are bad, especially if they're straight and white and male. Feig proves himself particularly committed to the bit. Anything to get back into the studio good graces, I guess.
A skirmish broke out in a comments section when someone had the audacity to highlight, "No woman would ever invite a housemaid that looks like Sydney Sweeney into their home." Naturally someone shot back, "That's sexist!". When there is no better argument to make, use one of the following words; sexist, racist, homophobic, Islamophobic, transphobic, xenophobic. One of them is sure to stick.
Never mind that most housemaids, nannies or live in help look nothing like Sydney Sweeney. If they did, most wives would say, "Hell, no!" We can't have an honest conversation about serious matters such as domestic abuse when some viewers won't admit the set-up for The Housemaid is ludicrous. Instead Feig force feeds us a steady diet of HGTV eye candy with side orders of beefcake and malarkey.
Speaking of Sydney Sweeney, she sure needed a hit. Thanks to her character Millie, Sweeney won't have to milk the jeans controversy that has dogged her for much of the year. Millie is the type of sad sack that has to buy her clothes off the rack but still knows how to make a good melon salad or serve jugs of juice.
Amanda Seyfried takes time off from disparaging dead men to portray the glamourous, garrulous cray cray wife. Fellas, these two don't make out. Feels like a real missed opportunity.
Brandon Sklenar appears as Andrew, Gaslighter extraordinaire. Between The Housemaid and Drop, Sklenar is Hollywood's latest hunk du jour. This guy is so hot I'd be worried if he was my masseuse. It is easy to understand how he could pseudo reverse Pretty Woman all these females and at such a young age.
The two biggest issues with modern movies is the aforementioned reliance on left wing tropes and the fact they go on too long. It takes an ungodly 75 minutes before Feig finally reveals what anyone with a modicum of sense has known all along. A film redolent of so many other lasses in a lurch narratives didn't need to take this so long to unfurl.
The Housemaid is not a film to be taken seriously. It is outlandish over the top nonsense. It is also, in its own way, beautiful visual gibberish with several hysterical moments. I'm still at a loss for why I was the only one laughing in the theatre.
The conclusion requires zero interpretive skills. A variation on the Gone Girl ending was sitting there on a tee. Alas, that fabled nuance is mostly a lost art in a mostly lost year for movies. The Housemaid is right about exactly one thing. Barry Lyndon is a masterpiece.
Greta understands the irony.
“Millie” (Sydney Sweeney) is on parole and sleeping in her car when she applies for a job housekeeping for the wealthy “Wentworth” family. After her first meeting with the jovial “Nina” (Amanda Seyfried) she doesn’t hold out much hope, so imagine her surprise when she is back in their luxury kitchen with a centrally heated, if somewhat airtight, attic bedroom and a phone replete with a limitless credit card. At this stage, enter hunky husband “Andrew” (Brandon Skelnar) and her slightly stand-offish, ballet dancing, daughter “Cece” (Indiana Elle) and duly welcomed this newcomer is. Next morning, “Millie” discovers an entirely flakier side of her boss, though, and that’s just the start of some curious escapades that do, at this stage, send us into some fairly predictable territory. Thing is, we get to that stage with still an hour to go so we know there will have to be some twists. Twists there duly are and although they are really quite far-fetched, they are actually stitched together quite cleverly with loads of histrionics, lying, cheating and nobody really turning out as you might expect. Along the way this pings quite entertainingly at the facileness of the ladies who lunch brigade who make every therapist’s wet dreams come true and the three actors deliver well, especially as things take some turns for the unexpected towards the end. I wasn’t really expecting to, but I did quite enjoy this in the end and if there’s not a sequel then I’ll eat my hat.
This movie was genuinely exciting to watch. Millie is a bold and interesting character, and I liked the idea of her targeting creepy, psychologically disturbed men. There is something satisfying about how brave and calculated she is, and the way the film presents her at first makes you think you are watching a completely different kind of story. The movie feels very professional in terms of direction, atmosphere, and pacing. What I enjoyed most is how unpredictable it is. At the beginning, Millie comes off as cute and almost innocent, and it seems like Andrew and Nina are just part of a normal setup. I expected Nina to be the real problem, but the story flips and reveals Andrew as the true villain, which caught me off guard in a good way. Overall, the vibe of the movie is very mysterious and tense, and it keeps you guessing about who is actually dangerous and who is not. If you like thrillers with twists and morally complex characters, this one is worth watching :D
After seeing endless trailers for The Housemaid at recent cinema visits over the last few months I caved and purchased a ticket. And boy that was money well spent!
Based on the 2022 novel by Frieda McFadden, this thriller is an absolute twist filled, psychological nightmare. Think Gone Girl for the Taylor Swift obsessed with some brutal scenes.
We follow Millie (Sydney Sweeney), currently on parole and eager to move on with her life. She thinks she's found the perfect job after interviewing with bubbly, effervescent trophy wife Nina Winchester (Amanda Seyfried). She's offered a live-in position as a housemaid in the spectacular home Nina shares with her husband Andrew (Brendon Sklenar) and daughter Cece (Indiana Elle).
But it's too good to be true. Millie's living in a tiny attic room with a deadbolt lock on the wrong side of the door, Cece goes out of her way to be difficult and there's creepy groundskeeper Enzo (Michele Morrone).
It's clear from the trailer Nina is unhinged. We learn early on she's on medication for schizophrenia and see sudden vocal and physical outbursts, followed by frenzied apologetic monologues.
Seyfried is the absolute star here in this turbulent role. She steals every scene with a truly believable, guttural and raw performance which I was not expecting.
In contract Sweeney's portrayal of Millie feels downplayed, however this is a perfect choice. In a volatile situation where she needs to keep a job, this character does what anyone would do - keep calm and carry on.
The Housemaid takes its audience through many narrative twists. From the outset we're on the back food, as it unveils one secret after another keeping you guessing throughout.
Fans of melodrama, frantic storytelling and shocking scenes can rejoice as you'll find these in abundance. The second act of this film is also incredibly steamy which, with a cast that looks this good, is absolutely welcome and expected.
The film loses points for its soundtrack. There are needle drops at pivotal moments where they choose bubblegum pop which imbalances the film's tone completely.
Ultimately it's the third act that ties this film together. We discover the true plot and those lose ends you've spend the previous hour trying to figure out are woven together in a jaw dropping sequence of events.
As someone who's not read the book, I found this adaptation unravelled in an impactful way with a satisfying ending and was left wanting more. This is a novel I'm adding to my read list along with it's sequel as I will absolutely be checking that out when it releases.
The Housemaid is a must see, ideally with an audience as the reactions in my screening were almost as wild as the film itself.
No likes yet
the housemaidhorrorthrillerfrieda mcfaddensydney sweeneyamanda seyfriedbrendon sklenarindiana ellemichele morronepaul feig
Comment?
This is a masterclass in psychological thriller! Kim Ki-young's 1960 classic is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of class, desire, and madness. 😊
The plot of this movie is very ordinary. I got bored while watching it. The acting is okay, the effects are good, the script is slow, heavy-handed, and dialogue-based. I skipped forward through some scenes. Is it worth watching? If you like this type of production and the subject matter, I recommend you check it out. Other than that, I don't think it's a production that deserves much time. I gave it a score of 4 out of 10.
The Housemaid is a visual powerhouse that deserves a 10/10 rating, primarily due to the captivating lead performance by Sydney Sweeney. She is undeniably the highlight of the film, looking incredibly hot and pretty in every frame. Her fair complexion and striking features are emphasized by the cinematography, making her presence on screen magnetic and aesthetically perfect. Beyond her appearance, the film is driven by a strong, interesting, and great story that keeps the viewer completely engaged. The narrative builds a thick, suspenseful atmosphere that culminates in a truly mind-blowing twist that shifts the entire perspective of the movie. This high-level storytelling and the brilliance of the plot execution make it a top-tier recommendation for anyone who values a sleek, modern thriller experience with a deep and rewarding narrative.
**The Housemaid** is an absolutely amazing thriller. The environment created in the **first half** is so intense that you are convinced the house owner, Naina, is the one who is **manic and mentally unstable.** It creates a perfect trap where you don't suspect for a second what is coming.
While the trailer might make you think it’s just a simple story about a maid entering a house and a conflict starting, the **twist** here is massive. As the **second half** begins, the mystery unfolds through the background story Naina tells her daughter. You realize how helpless she was and how she was being exploited. The real villain is her **obsessive and mentally unstable husband.** He is a perfectionist who loves his family's antique belongings more than people.
The **maid’s acting** was phenomenal; in the first half, her performance makes you believe Naina is the crazy one. However, the root cause of everything is the husband’s mother and the way she raised him. The climax, where the maid captures the husband and leads to his murder while helping a female police officer, is a powerful ending. This is where I end my review a must-watch!
It was an interesting thriller that could have spent a little more time in the editing room to take out some length.
Positives
- it's got those Thriller moments
- interesting love scenes with Sydney Sweeney
Negatives
- less than believable: young highschool girl jailed for 10 years then gets live-in housekeeper child caregiver job?
The Film's Suggestive Takeaways
- rich people are all twisted and evil
- jailed people are all innocent but tried to do good things
- Italian men are trustworthy, American men aren't
Rating 7/10
Cast & Crew of
The Housemaid
Cast
... Millie Calloway
... Nina Winchester
... Andrew Winchester
... Enzo
... Cece Winchester
... Pam
... Mrs. Winchester
... Suzanne
... Jilliane
... Patrice
... Cashier
... Officer Jenkins
... Officer Stanley
... Ballet Instructor
... Amanda
... Hotel Desk Clerk
... Officer Jessica Connors
... Detective Smythe
... Young Nina (8yrs)
... Professor
... Lynch
... Therapist
... Pretty Nurse
... Kelsey
... Andrew's Reverend
... Lisa
... Male Student
... Charlie
... Prison Guard
... Prisoner
... Prisoner
... Lexi
Crew
... Director
... Screenplay
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Producer
... Producer
... Costume Design
... Makeup Department Head
... Set Decoration
... Original Music Composer
... Director of Photography
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Editor
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Production Design
... Casting
... Hair Department Head
... First Assistant Director
... Special Effects
... Special Effects Coordinator
... Stunt Coordinator
... Stunt Coordinator
... Stunt Double
... Stunt Double
... Stunts
... Utility Stunts
... Gaffer
... Camera Operator
... "B" Camera Operator
... Second Unit Director of Photography
... "A" Camera Operator
... Finance
... Finance
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Book
... Music Supervisor
... Unit Production Manager
... Unit Production Manager
... Second Assistant Director
Videos & Photos of
The Housemaid
Videos (3)
Photos 46
Similar Movies To
The Housemaid
Twelve Monkeys (1995)
7.61/10
In the year 2035, convict James Cole reluctantly volunteers to be sent back in time to discover the origin of a deadly virus that wiped out nearly all of the earth's population and forced the survivors into underground communities. But when Cole is mistakenly sent to 1990 instead of 1996, he's arrested and locked up in a mental hospital. There he meets psychiatrist Dr. Kathryn Railly and the son of a famous virus expert who may hold the key to the Army of the 12 Monkeys; thought to be responsible for unleashing the killer disease.
Release: 1995-12-29
An Angry Boy (2024)
3.6/10
Having escaped a sadistic cult as a child, Owen must confront his past as his tormentors enter his new life. This time there's no escaping for anyone.
Release: 2024-06-07
Donnie Darko (2001)
7.761/10
After narrowly escaping a bizarre accident, a troubled teenager is plagued by visions of a large bunny rabbit that manipulates him to commit a series of crimes.
Release: 2001-01-19
War of the Worlds (2005)
6.559/10
Ray Ferrier is a divorced dockworker and less-than-perfect father. Soon after his ex-wife and her new husband drop off his teenage son and young daughter for a rare weekend visit, a strange and powerful lightning storm touches down.
Release: 2005-06-28
Blade Runner (1982)
7.935/10
In the smog-choked dystopian Los Angeles of 2019, blade runner Rick Deckard is called out of retirement to terminate a quartet of replicants who have escaped to Earth seeking their creator for a way to extend their short life spans.
Release: 1982-06-25
Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
7.8/10
Semi-retired Michigan lawyer Paul Biegler takes the case of Army Lt. Manion, who murdered a local innkeeper after his wife claimed that he raped her. Over the course of an extensive trial, Biegler parries with District Attorney Lodwick and out-of-town prosecutor Claude Dancer to set his client free, but his case rests on the victim's mysterious business partner, who's hiding a dark secret.
Release: 1959-07-01
Linnaisten vihreä kamari (1945)
7.909/10
A nobleman in 1830's Finland has to contend with stuck-up relatives, his daughters' suitors, dark secrets from his family's past, mistaken identities and a haunted wing of his mansion.
Release: 1945-02-04
Bird Box Barcelona (2023)
5.9/10
After a mysterious force decimates the world’s population, Sebastian must navigate his own survival journey through the desolate streets of Barcelona. As he forms uneasy alliances with other survivors and they try to escape the city, an unexpected and even more sinister threat grows.
Release: 2023-07-14
Pikajuna pohjoiseen (1947)
4.8/10
The destinies of different kind of people encounter in a passenger train that is traveling from Helsinki to the North. One tragedy after the other appears.
Release: 1947-06-01
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
8/10
Humanity finds a mysterious object buried beneath the lunar surface and sets off to find its origins with the help of HAL 9000, the world's most advanced super computer.
Release: 1968-04-02
There's A Man In The Back (2025)
0/10
When Mark’s mistake puts his best friend Anna in danger, he must face a terrifying entity determined to take her away. To save her life, he’s forced to confront the darkness he unleashed.
Release: 2025-11-26
Panic Room (2002)
6.8/10
Trapped in their New York brownstone's panic room, a hidden chamber built as a sanctuary in the event of break-ins, newly divorced Meg Altman and her young daughter Sarah play a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with three intruders - Burnham, Raoul and Junior - during a brutal home invasion. But the room itself is the focal point because what the intruders really want is inside it.
Release: 2002-03-29
The Sum of All Fears (2002)
6.375/10
When the president of Russia suddenly dies, a man whose politics are virtually unknown succeeds him. The change in political leaders sparks paranoia among American CIA officials, so CIA director Bill Cabot recruits a young analyst to supply insight and advice on the situation. Then the unthinkable happens: a nuclear bomb explodes in a U.S. city, and America is quick to blame the Russians.
Release: 2002-05-31
A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
7.101/10
Two sisters return home after a stay in a mental institution, only to face disturbing events and a strained relationship with their stepmother. As eerie occurrences unfold, dark family secrets begin to surface, blurring the line between reality and nightmare.
Release: 2003-06-13
Vicious Confusion (2025)
8/10
A hitman is sent off to kill his target, but little does he know of the vicious violence and bewildering confusion he will face.
Release: 2025-07-27
Impostor (2001)
6.13/10
A top-secret government weapons designer is arrested by a clandestine government organization on suspicion of being a clone created by the hostile alien race wanting to take over Earth.
Release: 2001-12-03
Paprika (2006)
7.814/10
Dr. Atsuko Chiba is a research psychologist who uses a device called the DC Mini to enter her patients' dreams, wherein she adopts the alter-ego "Paprika". When the device is stolen, she must stop rogue elements from merging the dream and waking worlds.
Release: 2006-10-01
Le Samouraï (1967)
7.777/10
After carrying out a flawlessly planned hit, Jef Costello, a contract killer with samurai instincts, finds himself caught between a persistent police investigator and a ruthless employer, and not even his armor of fedora and trench coat can protect him.
Release: 1967-10-25
The Bricklayers (1976)
6.6/10
When a worker is found murdered on the construction side, the investigation swiftly turns from things criminal to the political circumstances surrounding the building itself. Widespread corruption and neglect by the builder himself are seen to have brought the situation about. Much of the movie is filmed using hand-held cameras, and the majority of the dialogue is in the difficult-to-understand and very slangy Spanish dialect of Mexico City's bricklayers.
Release: 1976-12-23