Review – The Housemaid (2025)

Studio: Lionsgate
Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar, Michele Morrone, Elizabeth Perkins, Indiana Elle, Amanda Joy Erickson, Sarah Cooper, Megan Ferguson, Ellen Tamaki
Music: Theodore Shapiro
Cinematography: John Schwartzman
Producers: Todd Lieberman, Laura Fischer, Paul Feig
Screenplay: Rebecca Sonnenshine
Director: Paul Feig
Runtime: 131 minutes

Paul Feig returns to thriller territory with The Housemaid (2025), adapted from Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel. After years of success with comedies, Feig attempts something darker and more suspenseful. While his intentions are clear, the film struggles to find a strong identity, and its execution often feels uncertain.

Millie (Sydney Sweeney), a woman on probation trying to rebuild her life, arrives at the Winchester mansion for a job interview as a live-in housemaid. She is immediately struck by the immaculate interior and the pristine appearance of Nina Winchester (Amanda Seyfried), whose icy exterior complements her perfectly coordinated home.

Just when Millie thinks she’s missed her chance at stable work, Nina unexpectedly offers her the job. Millie returns to find the Winchester household in disarray. The husband, Andrew (Brandon Sklenar), and their daughter Cecelia (Indiana Elle) seem almost surprised she’s there. The next morning, Millie is confronted with chaos in the kitchen and accusations from Nina about things she didn’t do. Rumors fly about Nina’s past, including time spent in a psychiatric hospital, but Millie stays on out of desperation, even though her attic bedroom locks from the outside.

As Nina’s demands grow more erratic and manipulative, Andrew becomes Millie’s defender, and their relationship deepens, culminating in a passionate night together. Just as it seems Millie might have some stability and connection, a shocking twist tests her once again, leading to revelations that reshape everything we thought we knew.

Feig plays with multiple genre elements — drama, thriller, camp — but rarely commits to one. The characters feel two-dimensional, defined more by their roles in the plot than by real emotional complexity. Amanda Seyfried’s portrayal of Nina stands out, delivering one of the few compelling arcs in the story, while Sydney Sweeney struggles to display meaningful emotional range in Millie’s journey.

Brandon Sklenar’s Andrew remains unremarkable, failing to generate the tension or chemistry the plot demands. Meanwhile, the editing and character direction often feel uneven, leaving audiences uncertain about what tone the film is meant to settle into.

Overall, The Housemaid suffers from predictable twists, uninspired sex scenes, and a tone that fails to fully embrace its thriller potential. While some audiences may find guilty-pleasure entertainment in its twists and pulpy elements, others will see it as a missed opportunity to elevate the source material in a meaningful way.

Final Verdict

Rating: Poor

A film with ambition but little coherence — stylish in moments but ultimately disappointing in execution.