Title – The Housemaid (2025)

Director – Paul Feig (Bridesmaids)

Cast – Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar

Plot – Keen to start a new life and desperate to find permanent work, Millie Calloway (Sweeney) accepts a job as a live-in nanny with Nina (Seyfried) and Andrew Winchester (Sklenar) setting in motion a series of escalating events that will test all involved.  

“Actions have consequences”

Review by Eddie on 16/01/2026

Despite being a direct adaptation of author Freida McFadden’s best-selling book of the same name, a book which has already spawned 2 direct follow-ons, not even the most optimistic of pundits could’ve predicted just how big The Housemaid has hit over the recent Xmas/New Year period.

Closing in on a global total of $200 plus million at the time of writing, with strong holds everything and much gas still left in the tank, Paul Feig’s latest box-office hit proves that when it comes to pulpy thrillers audiences are still more than willing.

Building off decent if not exactly rave reviews and some savvy marketing, Housemaid has succeeded where many other like-minded recent Hollywood offerings have failed and it’s not hard to see why, as while Feig and his game cast aren’t really covering off on any new ground here, with the film baring more than a few similarities to David Fincher’s Gone Girl in particular, Housemaid still provides a lot in the way of core level cinematic entertainment that plays to a certain crowd.

Following the exploits of Sydney Sweeney’s down on her luck newly minted live-in housemaid Millie Calloway who takes on a role at the house of Nina and Andrew Winchester, played by a scene-stealing Amanda Seyfried and an against type Brandon Sklenar, Housemaid has enough twists and turns and audience gasping moments to make it a cinematic spectacle and by embracing its nature, Feig has managed to turn the pulpy into mass audience entertainment that has already been enough to greenlight a sequel.

Housemaid also provides its main star Sweeney her greatest test yet as she morphs into full-time leading lady duties and after the colossal misfires that were Eden and her awards baiting role in the all-time box office stinker Christy, Housemaid allows the global phenomenon to sink her teeth into a layered role that appeases casual audiences.

Sweeney’s performance here certainly isn’t anything overly special, often waiting in Seyfried’s shadow but there’s enough here to suggest that Sweeney’s desire to be more than a socialite and fashionista is a desire that can be backed and met by solid products and performances as long as she continues to surround herself by the right people in the right projects.

Arriving at the right place and right time, there’s a fair portion of misses that are thrown by Feig’s film but an ample amount of hits, marking Housemaid down as a fun and topical thriller that if nothing less sends a fair share portion of its audience off to the hairdressers to take care of their roots asap.

Final Say –

Embracing it’s over the top premise and overcoming its stumbles with a solid core cast and frequent twists and turns, The Housemaid offers a fresh spin on a familiar set-up on its way to becoming one of recent memories most surprising smash-hits.

3 strands of hair out of 5